Question

Difficulty: EasyBreakdown Procedures

You have safely pulled into an emergency area on a smart motorway after experiencing a vehicle defect. What should you use to contact the regional control centre for assistance?

  1. A
    Repeated flashes from your vehicle's headlights to trigger overhead gantry sensors
  2. The emergency roadside telephone located within the emergency areaAnswer
  3. C
    A portable red warning triangle placed 45 metres before the emergency area entrance
  4. D
    A walk along the motorway verge to locate a stationary traffic officer patrol

Answer

The emergency roadside telephone located within the emergency area
Using the emergency roadside telephone inside the emergency area immediately connects you to the National Highways control centre. It informs operators of your exact location so they can set lane closures, variable speed limits, or dispatch a traffic officer patrol.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary safety communications equipment installed in smart motorway emergency areas.
Every emergency area is equipped with an emergency roadside telephone (SOS phone) connected directly to National Highways control centres.
This establishes immediate two-way communication and pinpoints your precise location without requiring mobile signal.
2
Evaluate prohibited and hazardous actions under Highway Code breakdown rules.
Deploying warning triangles or wandering along motorway verges are strictly forbidden due to high-speed traffic risks.
Rule 274 and Rule 275 of the Highway Code mandate remaining behind safety barriers and using designated emergency facilities.

Key Concept

Smart motorway emergency area communication procedures
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question