In 2018, the first weekend of August and the last weekend of July were the two busiest weekends for breakdowns on UK motorways. It is widely reported that during these two weekends a breakdown was reported every two minutes! This contributed to over 48,500 breakdowns last summer on major roads alone!

Anticipating the same again this summer, as many families set off for their holidays and day trips hoping to make the most of the weather, Highways England has launched a new safety campaign which is encouraging drivers to remember the basics of motorway driving and what you have to do should you breakdown on the roads.

The campaign which is well underway on the radio, billboards and online has been reminding drivers on the simple driving rules that we should all know, and will ultimately keep the network flowing during its busiest period.

“We’re expecting to see a big increase in breakdowns over the next few weeks as drivers set out on longer journeys during the summer. So we’re urging drivers to remember the basics of motorway driving, including carrying out simple vehicle checks before setting off, to help keep us all moving.” – Richard Leonard, head of road safety at Highways England.

Motorway Safety Tips

• Check your tyre pressures ahead of making long journeys; are your tyres suitable for the load you are carrying? It is also important to ensure you have suitable tread depth (remember the legal limit is 1.6mm)
• Check your engine oil using the dipstick, if levels are low make sure you top them up. If you find you are topping up more regularly than you should be, take your car to a garage to assess it.
• Keep your screenwash topped up, so you can clean any debris off your windscreen and maintain good visibility (particularly if you’re heading to the seaside and anticipate debris from seagulls!)
• Check all your lights, these are the first sign to other motorists that you are looking to change lanes, provide a warning, brake, or just stay visible. You are putting yourself and your passengers at risk by not ensuring fully working lights.
• Ensure you have enough fuel for your journey or plan ahead where you will need to stop to refuel. Don’t get caught out on the roads because of poor planning!

It goes without saying for those in the rescue and recovery industry, and we’re sure that you are all well on top of your vehicle maintenance but are your recovery vehicles fully equipped to deal with any issue?

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