Breakdowns On Dual Carriageways


Some dual carriageways are similar to motorways, they have

  • a hard shoulder to pull on to
  • emergency telephones at regular intervals
  • Most dual carriageways do not have a wide hard shoulder. If you break down on one of these

  • get your car safely away from the road, if you can - onto the grass verge or lay-by if there is one. Take care if there's long grass which could ignite from the heat of a catalytic converter
  • use your hazard warning lights and warning triangle or other warning device to warn others
  • go to the nearest telephone and arrange assistance
  • keep animals safely in the car.
Breakdowns

Breakdowns Punctures & Blow-outs

If your car suddenly becomes unstable or you begin to feel steering problems, you might have a puncture or a blow-out (burst tyre).

Try not to panic.

  • Take your foot off the accelerator
  • Don't brake suddenly
  • Try to keep a straight course by holding the steering wheel firmly
  • Stop gradually at the side of the road
  • Get the vehicle away from the traffic (onto the hard shoulder if you're on a motorway).

If you have to move the vehicle, do so very slowly to avoid further damage to the tyre or wheel rim.

Get the vehicle to a place of safety before attempting to change the wheel.

If you can't get off the road altogether, use your warning triangle, or any other permitted warning device, particularly if you're near a bend, to warn other drivers. Never use one on a motorway.

If necessary, wait for assistance.


Remember
  • Secure the vehicle when changing any wheel by applying the handbrake and using chocks if available.
  • Always try to work on a level surface.
  • Retighten wheel nuts/studs after changing a wheel.
Breakdowns