Car breakdown on the motorway: what to do in the first 5 minutes

The moment you notice a problem (a warning light, a strange noise, a loss of power) start moving toward the hard shoulder or nearest emergency bay immediately, using your indicator to signal the move early.

Once stopped, get everyone out of the vehicle and behind the safety barrier if one is present. Standing outside the car on the traffic side is one of the most common causes of secondary motorway accidents, so always exit from the side away from moving traffic.

Turn on your hazard lights and, if you're carrying one, place a warning triangle a safe distance behind the vehicle, well beyond the point a fast-approaching driver would need to react.

Call for recovery and give your exact location: the nearest kilometre marker, interchange, or toll plaza name is far more useful than a general description. If you're a Shield Plan member, mention it. Priority members are dispatched ahead of the standard queue.

Stay behind the barrier or well clear of the carriageway until the recovery crew arrives. Don't attempt roadside repairs on a live motorway shoulder unless there is genuinely no safer option.