Guidelines on Handling Procedures when Vehicles stop on Roads due to Breakdown

•                In the event of vehicle breakdown suddenly on roads, the driver should immediately switch on hazard warning lights to warn other drivers and as far as possible maneuver the vehicle to get to the nearside lane or hard shoulder, making use of the residue power of the vehicle. When it is safe to do so, you may help your passengers disembark and stay away from carriageway. If there is a passing bay near by, you should stop your vehicle there. Unless it is unavoidable, you should not stop your vehicle on the rightmost traffic lane, because the passing traffic might pose a danger to you and your passengers. You and your passengers should therefore pay particular attention to ensure safety.

•                  The driver should dial 999 for help immediately. If the incident happens on strategic routes, you may provide the Police with the strategic route number, traffic bound and chainage marker information, etc so that rescue crews can know your location precisely and arrive as quickly as possible.

•                 If there are crash barriers along the roadside, the driver and the passengers should take refuge behind the crash barriers and wait for rescue.

•                Under a safe condition, the driver may place suitable warning devices, such as a flashing light or a reflective triangular warning sign at suitable location behind the broken down vehicle to warn other drivers of the presence of obstacles ahead.  On roads where speed of traffic is relatively high, such warning devices may be placed about 100 meters behind the broken down vehicle. For other roads, the distance can be shortened to about 50 meters.  If roadside crash barriers exist, the driver may walk carefully behind the barriers to reach the position to place the warning device safely.

•                 If in doubt, remain in your vehicle and keep wearing a seat belt until emergency services arrive.