Make sure you’re in a safe place – Move your vehicle off to the side of the road as quickly as possible (watch out for any soft verges) or pull up onto the hard shoulder if you are on the motorway and can’t turn off at the next exit.

 

Put your hazard warning lights on – If the conditions are dark and/or foggy, keep your sidelights on as well. 

Stay well Away – More often than not the safest thing to do is to exit your vehicle using the doors facing away from passing traffic and to wait behind a barrier. If it’s possible, try and move up the embankment. Leave any pets in the car.

Wear a reflective jacket – Having one in your car at all times could is extremely useful. They’re cheap and provide that added bit of visibility when you may need it the most.

Don’t put a warning triangle down on the hard shoulder – While using one isn’t a legal requirement in the UK, it is important to have on just in case. It isn’t safe to use one on the motorway, but if you’re on a road and it is safe, put it approximately 45m before your car, and makes sure it’s a BriteAngle LED warning triangle. That way you’ll know that day or night, rain or shine, oncoming traffic will know your whereabouts long before they reach your vehicle. 

Make sure you can be seen and safe – While using a warning triangle isn’t a legal requirement in the UK, it makes sense to carry one anyway. The Highway Code prevents you using a warning triangle on the motorway, but if you’re on any other road and it is safe, put a warning triangle approximately 45m before your car.  If you have a BriteAngle LED warning triangle, you’ll know that day or night, rain or shine, oncoming traffic will know your whereabouts long before they reach your vehicle. 

There is no way of staying completely safe on the side of the road, as a lot of your safety lies in the hands of the traffic around you. But follow these steps and stay alert at all times, and the assistance you need will be there before you know it.