Breaking down at night: how to stay safe
Updated
Quick answer
Get off the road if you can, put your hazard lights and sidelights on, and wait somewhere safe away from traffic with your phone charged. Share your exact location with your recovery company. If you feel at risk from another person, get back into your vehicle by the door away from traffic and lock the doors.
Be seen
- Hazard lights on, plus sidelights. Don't leave dipped headlights dazzling traffic coming towards you.
- Wear a hi-vis vest if you have one, and use your phone's torch when you're out of the car.
- On a normal road, put a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your car if it's safe to do so. Never use one on a motorway.
Where to wait
On a motorway or fast road, get everyone out on the side away from traffic and wait behind the barrier. Darkness makes it harder for other drivers to judge where you are, so don't stand near the vehicle.
On a quiet road or in a car park where you're safely off the carriageway, it's often best to wait in the vehicle with the doors locked and your hazard lights on.
If you feel unsafe
If you feel at risk from another person, the Highway Code advice is to get back into your vehicle by a door away from the traffic and lock all the doors, then leave the vehicle again as soon as you feel the danger has passed. If you're in immediate danger, call 999.
Recovery operators arrive in a marked truck with beacons. If you're unsure, ask them to tell you your name and the details you gave on the phone.
Tell us exactly where you are
In the dark, landmarks are hard to spot. Use the Request help form and tap Use my location, or share your location in WhatsApp, and we'll get a map pin. On a motorway, the number on the blue driver location sign pinpoints you.
Keep your phone charged: turn the screen brightness down, and close apps you don't need.