Road Incident Procedures and Safety

This government guidance outlines crucial rules for drivers experiencing breakdowns and incidents on UK roads. It emphasizes finding a place of relative safety off the main carriageway when possible, such as a service area or hard shoulder. The advice details procedures for warning other traffic, ensuring personal visibility, and summoning assistance, with specific instructions for motorways and the proper use of emergency services like 999. Furthermore, the text addresses how to handle obstructions and provides protocols for drivers involved in or assisting at incidents, including those involving dangerous goods and the necessary actions regarding documentation after a collision.

​What is considered a "place of relative safety" when dealing with a breakdown or incident?A place of relative safety is a location where you, your passengers, and your vehicle are less likely to be at risk from moving traffic. The safest options are locations designed for parking, such as service areas on motorways. Other places include lay-bys, emergency areas, and hard shoulders. However, it is important to remember that hard shoulders offer less protection due to their proximity to high-speed traffic.
What are the immediate steps to take if your vehicle breaks down?If your vehicle breaks down, your primary concern should be other road users. If possible, get your vehicle off the road. If it's causing an obstruction, use your hazard warning lights. Enhance your visibility by wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility. If you have a warning triangle, place it on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your vehicle on the same side of the road, but never on motorways. Keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor. Crucially, do not stand between your vehicle and oncoming traffic, and at night or in poor visibility, avoid standing in a position that prevents other road users from seeing your vehicle's lights.
What are the specific procedures for a breakdown on a motorway?If you experience a problem on a motorway, try to leave at the next exit or pull into a service area. If that's not possible, move into the left lane and aim for an emergency area or hard shoulder, stopping as far left as possible. Turn your wheels to the left and, if possible, stop just beyond an emergency telephone. Activate your hazard warning lights and sidelights if visibility is poor. Safely exit your vehicle and ensure passengers do the same, moving away from the vehicle and moving traffic, preferably behind a safety barrier. If you cannot safely exit or reach a place of safety, stay in your vehicle with seat belts and hazard lights on and call 999 immediately (or press the SOS button if available). Do not attempt repairs, place a warning triangle, or return to your vehicle once you are in a safe location.
How should you react if you see an incident or obstruction on the road?If you see emergency or incident support vehicles with flashing lights, slow down and be prepared to move safely into another lane or stop, as there may be an incident ahead. You MUST follow any directions given by police or traffic officers regarding safely passing an incident or obstruction. When passing the scene of an incident, remain alert for hazards and avoid slowing down unnecessarily, especially if the incident is on the other side of a dual carriageway. Focus on the road ahead to prevent causing further incidents or congestion.
What are the key actions to take if you are involved in or stop to assist at an incident or collision?If you are involved in or stop to give assistance at an incident or collision, prioritize stopping in a place of relative safety. Use your hazard warning lights and wear high-visibility clothing if you have it. Ask drivers to switch off their engines and avoid smoking. Contact the emergency services immediately on 999, providing precise details of the location and any casualties. Use an emergency telephone, mobile phone, or your vehicle's SOS button if available. Move uninjured people to a place of relative safety away from the vehicles, but DO NOT move injured people unless they are in immediate danger. Do not remove a motorcyclist's helmet unless essential and you are trained to do so. Be prepared to administer first aid and remain at the scene until emergency services arrive. Be prepared to exchange details with other parties involved.
What are the special considerations for incidents involving vehicles carrying dangerous goods?Vehicles carrying dangerous goods are typically marked with plain orange reflective plates or hazard warning plates. If an incident involves such a vehicle, follow the general advice for incidents but with heightened caution. Crucially, switch off engines and DO NOT SMOKE. Keep well away from the vehicle and DO NOT attempt to rescue casualties yourself due to the inherent danger. Call the emergency services and provide as much information as possible about the labels and markings on the vehicle. DO NOT use a mobile phone close to a vehicle carrying flammable loads.
What are the legal requirements if you are involved in a collision that causes damage or injury?If you are involved in a collision causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal, or property, you MUST stop. If possible, do so in a place of relative safety. You MUST provide your name, the vehicle owner's name and address, and the vehicle's registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds to request them. If you do not provide this information at the scene, you MUST report the collision to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.
What are the requirements regarding insurance details after a collision where another person is injured?If another person is injured in a collision and you do not produce your insurance certificate to a police officer or anyone with reasonable grounds to request it at the time of the crash, you MUST report the collision to the police as soon as possible, and in any case within 24 hours. You MUST also produce your insurance certificate to the police within seven days.