Safety when Driving on the motorway

For traffic information before travelling call 08700 660 115 – calls from land lines cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more. Or visit www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo

What to do if you break down:

• Pull over onto the hard shoulder, as far away from moving traffic as possible.

• Get out of the car by the door away from the traffic.

• Move well away from the carriageway and get behind a safety fence, if there is one.

• Use the emergency telephone, rather than a mobile. This will connect you straight to a Highways Agency Regional Control Centre, where your location can be identified more easily.

• Please only call 999 in the event of an emergency.

Safer driving:

• Ensure your vehicle is well maintained for the trip.

• Don’t drive too close to the vehicle in front.

• Keep left – don’t hog the middle lane.

• Take regular breaks – tiredness kills.

• If traffic has to merge, merge in turn.

• Avoid switching lanes suddenly.

• Take a supply of water on journeys.

Driving through roadworks:

• Keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety.

• Get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching lanes.

• Concentrate on the road ahead – not the roadworks.

• Keep a safe distance – there could be queues ahead.

• Observe all signs – they are there to help you.