Why mental health matters during a breakdown
A vehicle breakdown can be disorienting and stressful. Feeling anxious, shaken or upset after a sudden stop is a normal reaction. Preparing for safety and knowing what to do next can reduce that immediate stress and help you manage the situation more calmly.
Immediate safety steps (what the Highway Code advises)
Follow the Highway Code guidance first so you and other road users stay safe. Key points include:
- Stop in a place of relative safety such as a parking area or service area where possible.
- If you must stop on the carriageway or hard shoulder, get well away from your vehicle and moving traffic; keep passengers away from the carriageway and children under control.
- Use your hazard warning lights; use high-visibility clothing if available and place a warning triangle only where it is safe and not on motorways.
- On motorways, use an emergency telephone, call 999 if you cannot reach a safe place, or press your vehicle’s SOS/eCall button if fitted.
- Do not attempt repairs on motorways and avoid standing between your vehicle and oncoming traffic.
These points are summarised in the Highway Code: Breakdowns and incidents (Rules 275–287).
Calming strategies while you wait for help
- Move to a place of safety and take steady, slow breaths to help reduce immediate anxiety.
- Tell someone where you are and that you are safe — a friend, family member or someone travelling with you.
- If you carry medication you need (for example for anxiety), keep it accessible so you can take it if required.
- If you find travelling triggers ongoing worry after the event, consider pausing further journeys until you feel calmer and have had time to plan for future trips.
When to call for recovery or emergency services
If you are on a motorway or cannot reach a safe location, the Highway Code advises using the free emergency telephone or contacting the emergency services on 999; you may also press your vehicle’s SOS/eCall button where available. If a breakdown service is required, contact a breakdown recovery provider and tell them if you are a vulnerable motorist or travelling alone so they can prioritise appropriate help.
See the Highway Code guidance for details: Breakdowns and incidents (Rules 277–279).
What to tell a recovery operator
- Your exact location — use a nearby driver location sign, marker post letters/numbers, or a map app if you can safely do so.
- A brief description of the problem and your vehicle (make, colour, registration if known).
- The number of people in the vehicle and whether anyone is vulnerable or requires assistance.
- If you cannot leave your vehicle safely, say so and follow operator instructions; if you are on a motorway and cannot reach the left lane or safe area, call 999 immediately.
After the incident: looking after yourself
Even if you were not injured, a breakdown or roadside incident can leave you feeling shaken. Let someone know what happened, rest if you need to, and consider talking it through with a trusted person. If the experience affects your ability to drive or travel confidently, you may wish to seek further support from your GP or local mental health services.
Planning to reduce future stress
- Keep an essentials kit: charged phone, torch, high-visibility jacket, basic first-aid and any personal medication.
- Share your route with someone before long journeys and note service areas on motorways where it is safer to stop.
- Know how to identify your location on high-speed roads (marker posts and driver location signs) so you can report it quickly in an emergency.
Help from a professional recovery service
If you need assistance, a professional breakdown recovery provider can collect you and your vehicle and take you to a safe place or a garage. UK Breakdown Recovery offers nationwide roadside and motorway recovery services; see our services page for details and areas covered: UK Breakdown Recovery services. For assistance, please contact us via our contact page rather than sharing phone numbers here: Contact UK Breakdown Recovery.
Further reading
For more on how travel and health intersect, you may find our guidance useful: When health journeys and vehicle breakdowns meet: guidance for UK motorists.
