Smart motorways — where the hard shoulder is used as a running lane — can turn a simple breakdown into a frightening situation. If you break down on one, here is how to stay safe and get help fast.
1. Try to reach an emergency refuge area
If you can still move, aim for the nearest orange-surfaced emergency refuge area or the motorway services. These are spaced along smart motorways for exactly this reason.
2. If you cannot move, get to the left
Pull as far to the left as possible, put your hazard lights on, and if it is safe, get out on the nearside and behind the barrier. If you are stuck in a live lane and cannot get out safely, keep your seatbelts on, hazards on, and call 999.
3. Get the lane closed
On an all-lane-running smart motorway, the control room can close the lane above you with a red X and send help. Call the number on the nearest marker post, or 999, so they can protect you.
4. Then call recovery
Once you are safe or the lane is protected, get a recovery driver on the way. K9”s 24/7 motorway recovery covers every UK motorway — no membership needed, and a driver is rarely far away.
Broken down on a motorway? Get to safety first, then call K9 on 07301 118118.
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