A new survey by the AA has revealed widespread misunderstandings about how drivers should respond when their vehicle breaks down, with motorists on smart motorways and rural roads particularly prone to taking potentially dangerous actions.
The research shows that while 92% of drivers would activate their hazard lights after breaking down on a regular motorway, only 85% would do so on a smart motorway, despite the higher risk of live lane breakdowns. A further 92% said they would call their breakdown provider on a standard motorway, but only 82% would do so on a smart motorway.
AA guidance stresses that activating hazard lights and contacting your breakdown provider should be a top priority in all situations. Yet the figures suggest drivers underestimate the risks associated with smart motorways.
The research also found that 13% of drivers would place a warning triangle directly next to their vehicle on a motorway, while 41% said they would put it 45 metres behind. Both actions are considered unsafe on high-speed roads due to the risk of stepping into live traffic. The AA advises against using warning triangles on motorways altogether.
A spokesperson said: “Using a warning triangle on a motorway is not recommended because placing or retrieving it involves entering live lanes of traffic. Drivers should instead focus on getting out of the vehicle safely, staying behind a barrier if one is present, and calling for help.”
On dual carriageways, 93% of drivers said they would call their breakdown provider, while 89% would turn on hazard lights. However, 11% would fail to alert other road users via hazard lights—a concern given the high-speed nature of these roads.
Country lanes revealed a different kind of caution. Ninety-five percent of respondents said they would call for breakdown assistance, the highest percentage of any road type. Ninety percent would activate hazard lights and 69% would pull over as quickly as possible. While many respondents knew to use a warning triangle, 18% would incorrectly place it next to the car. Only 20% would position it the recommended 45 metres behind.
In car parks, the majority (97%) said they would call their breakdown provider, and 61% would stay in their vehicle. The AA suggests that, when safe, drivers should raise their bonnet to help recovery services locate the vehicle quickly.
