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Don't stop unless you have to

If you need to stop in an emergency you should pull onto the hard shoulder.

The motorway hard shoulder can be a dangerous place and is illegal to stop there unless it is an emergency. You should never stop there to read a map, go to the toilet or answer the phone - always drive to the next services or exit.

Stay safe while you are on the hard shoulder

If a breakdown or other emergency forces you to stop, then follow the Highways Agency's top five safety tips.

Pull over to the left

Pull over onto the hard shoulder and park as far to the left as possible, near an emergency roadside phone if you can. Turn on your vehicle's hazard warning lights.

Leave your vehicle

Leave your vehicle immediately via the left-hand door. Make sure your passengers do the same. You should leave any animals in the vehicle, or keep them under proper control on the verge.

Contact the Highways Agency

Use the nearest emergency roadside phone rather than a mobile phone if possible. If you use an emergency roadside phone your exact location will show on the operator's screen and it will be easier to find you. On motorways these phones are spaced at one-mile intervals.

Roadside markers (pictured below) are spaced at 10-metre intervals on the hard shoulder. They show how far you are in kilometres from the start of the motorway. They also show the direction of the nearest emergency phone that you can safely use.

Wait for help to arrive

Stay well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder as you wait for help to arrive. Don't get back into the vehicle and don't try to repair your car yourself, even if you think it's a simple job.

If you feel at risk from another person

If you think you are in danger, return to your vehicle via the left-hand door, fasten your seatbelt and lock all doors. Leave the vehicle as soon as you feel the risk has passed.

If you can't get to a roadside phone

Roadside markers

Roadside markers show your exact location and the direction of the nearest emergency phone

If you're injured or have a disability that means you can't get to a roadside phone, the Highway Code advises you to:

• stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on
• switch on your hazard warning lights

If you have a mobile phone you should dial 999 and tell the emergency services where you are. If you can see a roadside marker or driver location sign, tell the operator what it says as this will help them find you.

You can find detailed information on driver location signs by following the link below.

• How to report your location in an emergency

More information for disabled road users

The Highways Agency produces a magazine for disabled road users called 'My way'. It contains general driving advice and detailed information on what to do in an emergency. You can download a copy by following the link below. You can also order a printed version by calling the Highways Agency information line on 0300 123 5000.

• Download 'My way' (PDF, 2440K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

• Motoring and transport (disabled people's section)

More useful links

• THINK! road safety Opens new window

• Plan your journey

Useful contacts

• Department for Transport (DfT)

• Transport for London (TfL)