Panicking When Your Car Breaks Down Won’t Help

If your car has broken down, panicking is not going to help you. It’s a natural reaction to a stressful situation, especially one that you don’t know how to navigate, but panicking is never going to help. All that’s going to happen is that you’re going to get yourself worked up, you’re not going to be able to think clearly, and then you’re going to struggle to move forward. 

In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the different things that you should be doing when your car breaks down instead of panicking, so if you would like to find out more, feel free to read on.

Get Somewhere Safe First

The first and most important thing that you need to do is assess the situation and work out how you are going to get somewhere safe. It depends on where you are as to how safe you are in your vehicle, and where you should go. In some places, you will be able to remain in your car fairly safely, but most people do tend to move and go somewhere else just to be sure. 

This is the most important part of this whole process, because the last thing that anyone needs is to put themselves at risk. 

Call A Tow Truck 

If your car has broken down and you need to get it away from where it is, you need to call a tow truck to come and take you to the nearest garage. Yes, you might have to wait a while, but this is going to be the only way to get your vehicle where it needs to go. It’s worth phoning a few different companies to see who can get to you the quickest, and what price they are going to charge for this, and then making a decision on which company to go with. 

Some people think that they are going to be able to avoid calling a tow truck, but you won’t because you need to get your car somewhere that it can be fixed. 

Don’t Stress Yourself Out 

We know that this one is much easier said than done, but don’t stress yourself out too much. If you do, all that’s going to happen is that you’re going to get stressed, you’re not going to be able to make decisions because you’re going to be overwhelmed, and this whole pain in the behind scenario is going to take longer to resolve. 

So, if you feel yourself starting to get stressed, stop what you are doing and take some deep breaths. Think carefully about calming your breathing and regaining control of your body, and then you can move forward. 

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you should be doing besides panicking when your car breaks down. We’re going to highlight again that the most important thing that you can do in this situation is to get somewhere safe. 

The Specific Steps for Different Road Types

Where you break down makes a significant difference to what you should do next. The steps for a quiet residential road are not the same as for a motorway, and knowing this in advance is part of being a prepared driver.

• On a motorway or dual carriageway. Try to leave at the next exit if you can. If you can’t, pull onto the hard shoulder, turn your wheels to the left, switch on your hazard lights, and exit via the left-hand door only if it is safe to do so. Climb over the safety barriers to distance yourself from passing traffic and wait there. Never stand between your car and moving traffic. Do not place a warning triangle on a motorway, as this requires walking on the carriageway. If you cannot safely exit the vehicle, stay in with your seatbelt on and call 999.
• On a smart motorway. Smart motorways have removed or reduced hard shoulder provision on around 345 miles of UK motorway. If you break down, aim for an Emergency Refuge Area (ERA), which are marked with blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol. If you can’t reach one, pull as far left as possible, put your hazard lights on, and call 999.
• On a country lane or rural road. Pull over as far as possible, turn on your hazard lights, and if it is safe to do so, place a warning triangle around 45 metres behind the car to alert oncoming drivers. Position yourself away from the road while you wait, as narrow rural roads can be deceptively fast.
• In a town or city. Try to pull into a side street, car park, or lay-by rather than stopping on a main road. Open the bonnet to signal to other drivers that you’ve broken down, switch your hazard lights on, and call your breakdown provider or a tow truck.

What to Keep in Your Car for Exactly This Situation

A well-prepared car takes some of the panic out of breaking down, because you already have what you need. Most of these things cost very little and take up minimal space in the boot.

• A high-visibility vest. Wearing one when you exit the vehicle on any road, particularly in poor light or bad weather, makes you significantly more visible to passing drivers. Keep one in the driver’s door pocket so it’s accessible without having to go into the boot.
• A warning triangle. Useful on non-motorway roads, placed around 45 metres behind your vehicle to alert approaching drivers. Not to be used on motorways.
• A torch. Essential for breakdowns at night: checking under the bonnet, signalling, finding things in the boot. Keep spare batteries with it or choose a rechargeable model.
• Breakdown cover details and key phone numbers. Keep a written note in the car, not just on your phone. If your battery is dead, having the number on paper means you can still call from someone else’s device or a roadside emergency phone.
• A basic first aid kit. For minor injuries sustained during or after the breakdown.
• A phone charger or portable power bank. Running out of battery when you need to call for help is a miserable experience that a cheap power bank can entirely prevent.
• A warm layer and a foil blanket. Particularly relevant in winter: waiting for recovery on a cold night with no engine running gets very uncomfortable very quickly.

How to Avoid Breaking Down in the First Place

The best breakdown is the one that doesn’t happen. Most breakdowns are avoidable with simple vehicle checks, and as one RAC spokesperson puts it, money spent putting things right now can mean you avoid much bigger bills in the future. A few monthly habits make a real difference.

• Check your tyres regularly. The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm, and driving below it can result in a £2,500 fine and three penalty points per tyre. Beyond the legal side, properly inflated, well-treaded tyres handle better and are far less likely to give you a problem on the road.
• Keep an eye on your fuel. Running out of fuel is one of the most common causes of breakdown, and it is entirely avoidable. Try to keep the tank at least a quarter full, especially before a long journey.
• Check your oil, coolant, and screen wash. Low oil is a leading cause of engine damage. Coolant prevents overheating. Screen wash keeps visibility clear. All three can be checked in a couple of minutes and topped up for very little cost.
• Get your car serviced regularly. Many issues that lead to breakdowns, worn belts, failing batteries, deteriorating brake pads, are picked up during routine servicing before they become roadside emergencies.
• Don’t ignore warning lights. A warning light on your dashboard is your car telling you something needs attention. Ignoring it rarely makes the situation go away; it usually just means it becomes more expensive to address when it eventually forces itself to your attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I stay in my car or get out when I break down?

It depends entirely on where you’ve broken down. On a motorway or dual carriageway, the RAC and Highways England advice is to get out of the vehicle if it is safe to do so, move away from the carriageway, and wait behind a safety barrier. The risk of your stationary vehicle being struck by passing traffic is significant, and staying inside puts you directly in the danger zone. On a quieter road where you’ve been able to pull safely onto a verge or into a lay-by, staying in or near the vehicle is generally fine while you wait. If you are ever in doubt about your safety, stay in the car with your seatbelt on and call 999.

What if I break down and don’t have breakdown cover?

You can still call a breakdown or recovery company as a non-member, though you’ll pay a call-out fee on top of any repair or recovery costs, which is typically significantly more expensive than having cover in place. The RAC, AA, and many other providers offer pay-on-the-day recovery for non-members. Alternatively, you can arrange your own tow truck to take the car to a local garage. If you’re in an unsafe situation on a motorway, call 999 regardless of whether you have cover: the emergency services will attend. Given how relatively inexpensive annual breakdown cover is compared to a single unplanned call-out, most drivers find it worth having in place.

What information do I need to give when I call for breakdown assistance?

Your exact location is the most important thing, and it’s worth identifying this before you call if possible. On a motorway, look for the numbered marker posts that appear every 100 metres, as these are used to pinpoint your location precisely. On other roads, a postcode, junction number, or nearby landmark all help. You’ll also typically need to give your name, membership or policy number if you have cover, and the make, model, colour, and registration number of the vehicle. Having these details ready before you call speeds up the response significantly.

Is it safe to try to fix the car yourself at the roadside?

On a motorway or dual carriageway, no. Even if you’re confident you know what the issue is, attempting repairs in close proximity to high-speed traffic is a dangerous situation that the RAC, AA, and Highways England all advise strongly against. On a quieter road where you’ve pulled safely off the carriageway, minor things like changing a tyre on a flat road in good visibility are more reasonable, provided you know what you’re doing and are not in a vulnerable position. If you’re unsure, wait for professional help rather than risking your safety.

What should I do if I break down with children in the car?

The priority is the same as for any breakdown: get to a safe position and get everyone away from moving traffic. On a motorway, direct passengers including children to exit the vehicle via the left-hand door and move behind the safety barrier. Keep children close and calm, and reassure them that help is coming. If you have pets in the car, it’s generally safer to keep them inside the vehicle rather than risk them running onto the carriageway; crack the windows for ventilation and provide water if you have it. Once everyone is safe, call your breakdown provider and let them know you have children with you, as this can affect how your call is prioritised.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.