Breaking Down on a Smart Motorway: What to Do
On a smart motorway the hard shoulder may be a running lane, so the usual advice about pulling over doesn't always apply. Here's what to do, in order, if your vehicle develops a problem.
What is a smart motorway?
A smart motorway uses overhead signs and cameras to manage traffic, with variable speed limits and lanes that can be opened or closed. On "all lane running" sections, the hard shoulder has been turned into a permanent running lane. On "dynamic hard shoulder" sections, it's only opened to traffic at busy times. Many of England's busiest motorways, including stretches of the M1, M6, M25 and M62, are smart motorways.
1. If you sense a problem, act early
Warning lights, a strange noise, a loss of power or steam from the bonnet are all reasons to leave the motorway at the next junction or pull into the next services while the car is still moving. Leaving early is much safer than stopping on the carriageway.
2. Aim for an emergency area
If you can't reach a junction or services, look for an emergency area. These are marked with an orange road surface and a blue sign with an orange SOS telephone. Signs on the approach tell you how far away the next one is. Pull in, put your hazard lights on and, if it's safe, get out by the left-hand door and wait behind the barrier. Each emergency area has an emergency telephone that connects you to the control centre.
3. If you can't reach one, go left
If you can't get to an emergency area, move as far left as you can, onto the verge or the hard shoulder if there is one, and switch your hazard lights on. If it's safe to get out, leave by the left-hand door and stand behind the barrier, well away from traffic.
4. If you stop in a live lane
If your vehicle stops in a running lane and you can't get out safely, stay in the car with your seatbelt on and your hazard lights on, and call 999 straight away. The control centre can close the lane using the overhead signs and send traffic officers to protect you. Don't try to push the car or fix it in a live lane.
Red X means stop using that lane. A red X on an overhead sign means the lane is closed, often because there's a broken-down vehicle or an incident ahead. It's an offence to drive in a lane closed by a red X. Move out of that lane safely and in good time.
5. Arrange recovery
Once you're safe, call for recovery. Tell us which motorway you're on, your direction of travel, the last junction you passed and the number on the nearest blue driver location sign. On a smart motorway, recovery from an emergency area or the verge is usually straightforward. If you were stopped in a live lane, the police or traffic officers may first move you somewhere safer, and we'll pick you up from there.
Keep a few things in the car
A charged phone, a warm layer and a high-visibility vest make waiting by the roadside a lot safer and more comfortable, especially at night or in winter. Note that warning triangles shouldn't be used on motorways: putting one out means walking along the carriageway, which isn't safe.
Smart Motorway Breakdown FAQs
Should I stay in my car if I break down on a smart motorway?
If you're stopped in a live lane and it isn't safe to get out, yes: stay in the car with your seatbelt and hazard lights on and call 999. If you've reached an emergency area, the verge or a hard shoulder and it's safe to get out, leave by the left-hand door and wait behind the barrier.
How far apart are emergency areas?
It varies by motorway and by when the section was built. Signs on the approach show the distance to the next emergency area, so keep an eye on them if your car is struggling.
Can recovery reach me on a smart motorway?
Yes. Recovery from an emergency area or the verge is routine. If you're stopped in a live lane, the traffic officers or police will make the scene safe first. Call us once you're safe and we'll arrange recovery to your garage, home or another destination.
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