Thinking about incredibly large countries such as Australia or Brazil highlights how distance, remote stretches of road and limited services affect how drivers prepare for a breakdown. For motorists in the UK, the key lessons are practical and immediate: plan your route, know where to stop safely, and understand what to do on motorways and high-speed roads.
Why thinking about big countries matters for UK journeys
Long journeys in the UK can include long rural stretches or motorways with few nearby services. Considering how drivers cope in very large countries is a useful prompt to check your own breakdown preparations for:
- journeys that cross long distances without frequent services;
- sections of road with limited mobile signal;
- motorway travel where the safest stopping places are special areas such as service areas, lay-bys or emergency areas.
What the Highway Code tells you to do if your vehicle breaks down
The Highway Code sets out clear steps to keep you and others safe if your vehicle develops a problem. Key points you should follow include:
- try to stop in a place of relative safety (for example a service area, lay-by or emergency area on high-speed roads);
- warn other traffic with hazard warning lights and use high-visibility clothing when it is safe to exit the vehicle; put a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your vehicle on ordinary roads (do not place one on motorways);
- on motorways, move into the left lane and pull into an emergency area or hard shoulder if you can, then get out by the side furthest from traffic and wait well away from the carriageway; if you cannot reach a place of relative safety, stay in your vehicle with seat belts and hazard lights on and call 999;
- use emergency telephones, SOS/eCall or give marker post or driver location sign details to help emergency services locate you.
Read the Highway Code guidance for full details: Breakdowns and incidents (Rules 275–287) — GOV.UK.
Practical checks before you set off
- map fuel and service stops for long or rural routes so you know where the nearest place of relative safety is;
- make sure a high-vis jacket and basic warning devices (where legal to use) are accessible without having to search the boot;
- know how to identify your location on a motorway by marker posts or driver location signs and how to use your vehicle’s SOS/eCall if fitted;
- keep a charged phone and a simple roadside kit (torch, water, any essential medication); don’t attempt repairs that put you into the path of moving traffic.
When to call professional recovery
If you cannot get to a place of relative safety, if you are unsure about the safety of attempting any checks or repairs, or if you are immobilised on a high-speed road, call the emergency services (999) and use a professional recovery service rather than trying to move the vehicle yourself.
Local help from UK Breakdown Recovery
For motorists in London and on the M4, M40 and M25 corridors, UK Breakdown Recovery offers recovery and roadside assistance services across those areas. If you need professional help, please contact our team through our contact page for assistance or to find out more about the services we provide:
- UK Breakdown Recovery — services overview
- Contact UK Breakdown Recovery (please use this page to request assistance)
Planning for longer journeys — whether you were thinking of the distances drivers face in countries like Australia or Brazil, or simply a long UK motorway run — reduces stress and keeps you safer if the unexpected happens.
