For most of us, a car is a necessity. So, if you find yourself in a situation of a breakdown, it can be a stressful and nerve-racking scenario.

Modern cars are more hi-tech than ever before with complicated electronics and powertrains that may have electrified assistance. It’s all very clever, but if it goes wrong it can lead to disaster and an expensive bill at the end.

Whether you’re on a country lane with little phone signal or on the hard shoulder at the side of the motorway, not only is it frustrating, but a breakdown can be dangerous for you and your passengers as well as other road users.

We’ve compiled a list of tips to follow if you find yourself broken down at the side of the road.

Stay calm

One of the best ways to prevent any stress in a breakdown situation is to stay cool, calm and collected. There is no point beating yourself up about it as stressing out won’t help fix your car. Instead, if you take a more laid back approach, it will make you think more logically and will allow you to decide what to do next without falling out with any of your passengers or anyone at the other end of the phone.

Staying calm will also make you stronger and more confident if you’re found in a similar scenario again, and you will have the mindset to deal with the problem in a clearer and more effective way going forward.

Put you hazard warning lights on

In many European countries, the hazard warning switch is your best friend for many awkward parking incidents, however its main purpose is to warn other road users that your vehicle has encountered a problem or you have stopped for a valid reason.

If you have the misfortune to breakdown, the first thing to do is turn them on immediately to let others know you’ve stopped. Secondly, it allows your vehicle to be more visible from a greater distance which also helps warn other drivers of your vehicle’s presence.


Use roadside assistance if you have it

A lot of modern cars now come with their very own SOS emergency button in case you have an accident. However, a lot of vehicle manufacturers also provide a breakdown assistance service which features numbers for you to contact in the event of an issue.

By phoning the number provided, it will go directly to the manufacturer helpline and then they will alert their provided breakdown assistance company to come out and help you. It may take a couple of hours, but you’d rather know someone is on their way to fix the problem, rather be stranded for ages unknown what to do next.

Make sure all passengers have exited the vehicle

Another important factor to take into consideration is if you're carrying passengers in the event your car decides to falter, make sure they have all exited the vehicle and that they are not near the roadside either – especially if there are young children involved.

The last thing you would want is for your car to be stranded and then your passenger also injure themselves, too. Furthermore, this also applies for when you're on the hard shoulder of the motorway. Always make sure everyone is away from the vehicle and that they are at a safe enough distance, particularly when other traffic is racing past at speeds of 70mph.


Wear a high visibility jacket and use a warning triangle

It may not be a legal requirement in the UK compared to other countries in Europe, however carrying a high visibility jacket in your car and wearing it when it breaks down is a great piece of safety advice, and it will make you more visible to other road users. It’s also very beneficial at night, too.

Meanwhile, some vehicles come equipped with a warning triangle in their tool kit which is there to place behind your car from 50 yards to warn other driver’s of your mishap. We advise you not to put a triangle out on the motorway though, as it will cause further risk of accidents.