Gem Breakdown Cover

If your vehicle breaks down, think about safety first: Here's a simple security guide from GEM Motoring Assist, the leading UK driver based road safety association.

Think about your own safety

- Your vehicle from the road, if possible,

- Ensure that your passengers are safe and that animals are kept under control.

Warn other road users

- Warn other drivers by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction

- Put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 meters (147 feet) behind your vehicle broken on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always great care to place them, but never use them on highways, which can put you in danger of oncoming traffic

- Keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor

- Do not stand (or let someone else stand) between your vehicle and reverse traffic

- At night or in poor visibility do not stand where you prevent other users seeing your lights

- Wear a reflection / fluorescent jacket or bib.

Call for help

- Do not use mobile phones, if there is a risk of leakage of gas or vapor

- Contact the emergency services by dialing 999 or 112 (the new code of international emergency) or if you are a member of GEM Motoring Assist Breakdown call coverage or other distribution organization

- Give clear instructions to your general location: route number, direction of travel and local landmarks will help your specific relief

- Also tell them your vehicle type and color registration number and how many people are in the vehicle

- An indication of the cause of the blackout will also help

- When help arrives, ask for proof of identity.

On the highways - safety first

Exit the motorway at the nearest exit or pull into a service area. Where this is not possible:

- Using your indicators or hazard lights and pull onto the shoulder. Stop the far left as possible, with the wheels turned to the left

- Try to stop near an emergency telephone (each mile on the shoulder) with the front passenger door as close to the phone

- You must exit the vehicle by the passenger door left

- Wear a reflection / fluorescent jacket or bib

- Do not cross the street to reach a phone, it is safer to wait on the edge. (Remember, 10% of motorway accidents are collisions with vehicles parked on the shoulder.)

- Do not leave keys in the car. If possible, lock all doors except the front passenger door, you should leave it completely open so you can return quickly if needs be

- Keep the passengers off the road and children under control. Make sure children are safe - do not leave them in the car by themselves

- If you are elderly or disabled person, or have young children with you, you may decide it is wiser to remain in the vehicle. If so, park as close as possible to ensure

- You must leave the animals in the vehicle with the windows down just enough to let in air. Only let them leave the vehicle in an emergency, but keep them under proper control over the point

- Do not try to repair, even simple and does not leave the car hood open.

On the highways - help

- Walk to the nearest emergency phone, following the arrows on the marker posts every 100 meters to the back of the shoulder. The calls are free and connect directly to the police - they know where you are. Stand behind the phone and watch the traffic, or AP person.