THE HIGHWAY CODE
  • Read
  • Download PDF
  • Audiobook
  • Changes and answers
  • Categories

Breakdowns and incidents (274 to 287)

​Place of relative safety (rule 275)​
​Breakdowns (276)
Additional rules for motorways (276 to 279)
Obstructions (280)
Incidents (281 to 283)
Incidents involving dangerous goods (284 to 285)
Documentation (286 to 287) ​

Incidents involving dangerous goods (284 to 285)

284
Vehicles carrying dangerous goods in packages will be marked with plain orange reflective plates. Road tankers and vehicles carrying tank containers of dangerous goods will have hazard warning plates (download ‘Vehicle markings’).

285

If an incident involves a vehicle containing dangerous goods, follow the advice in Rule 283 and, in particular

  • switch off engines and DO NOT SMOKE
  • keep well away from the vehicle and do not be tempted to try to rescue casualties as you yourself could become one
  • call the emergency services and give 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.


<< Previous
Next >>

Choose:

Text to read
​PDF to download
Audiobook

Contacts
Feedback
Tips:

Updates and New Rules
Road safety tips
Answers for drivers
Driver’s Stories

Categories
Crown Copyright. The content have been sourced from the 2025 edition of The Official Highway Code, and reproduced under the terms of the Open Government Licence.
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy

  • Read
  • Download PDF
  • Audiobook
  • Changes and answers
  • Categories