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Should you get out of your car to help someone who has broken down on a motorway?

Yesterday I was on a coach in very slow moving motorway traffic and noted 3 lanes of traffic also moving very slowly in the other direction on the other side of the motorway. There was a car stopped with steam pouring out of the bonnet in the outside lane with no hard shoulder on that side and a worried driver sat in it. The driver in the car immediately behind got out of his car and was running towards the broken down car. I cannot report what happened next as our coach moved on.

I have thought about this since and wondered what the correct action should be taken if you break down or are behind a car that has - a potentially very dangerous situation. Would appreciate your thoughts

Asked on 5 August 2025 by robert key

Answered by David Ross
If you come across another vehicle that has stopped in a live lane you should not stop behind it and get out of your vehicle - instead call the police. If you are driving on the motorway and your car begins to falter your priority should be to get over to the hard shoulder or lane one on a smart motorway as quickly and safely as possible. If this is not possible and your car comes to a halt in a live lane, unless you and your passengers can get to the hard shoulder or central reservation in safety you should stay in your vehicle with your seat belts on and the hazard warning lights on. Call 999 and ask for the police immediately.
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