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The Triangular Route

I'm writing to raise awareness of motorists who fail to use their warning triangles in the event of a breakdown. After my car broke down following an electrical failure, the attending vehicle rescue patrol said it was the first time he'd seen any motorist using one for some weeks. The electrical failure rendered the hazard lights inoperable, so the warning triangle was the only way I could warn other motorists of the hazard my car presented, during a heavy snowfall whilst I awaited rescue. Could I therefore, through your column of which I am a regular reader, please urge motorists to use their warning triangles (in accordance to Highway Code rule 274) in a vehicle breakdown situation, even when the hazard lights do work.

Asked on 20 March 2010 by J.B., Mackworth

Answered by Honest John
The problem is, on motorways they are too difficult to see and need to be placed hundreds of metres behind the stranded car to have any effect at all. Far better to call out the police or Highways Patrol to give you some protection with their flashing lights. And on country roads, other drivers just don't register them. Though obviously if you are stranded round a bend a triangle might just save your car from getting rear-ended.
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