You are driving on a motorway at night when a sudden mechanical failure forces you to bring your vehicle to a halt on the hard shoulder. You successfully evacuate all occupants via the left-hand doors and direct them to wait safely up the adjacent embankment. Your vehicle is equipped with a standard emergency kit, including a red warning triangle. According to the Highway Code, which of the following is the correct procedure for managing your vehicle's lighting and warning devices in this scenario?
- Switch on the hazard warning lights and sidelights, and strictly avoid placing the red warning triangle on the hard shoulder or carriageway.Answer
- BSwitch on the hazard warning lights and sidelights, then carefully place the red warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your vehicle on the hard shoulder.
- CSwitch on the hazard warning lights and dipped headlights to ensure maximum visibility to fast-approaching traffic, but do not deploy the warning triangle.
- DRely exclusively on the hazard warning lights to warn other drivers and conserve battery power, as sidelights are unnecessary off the active carriageway.
Answer
You must switch on both hazard warning lights and sidelights, and never use a warning triangle on a motorway.
According to Highway Code Rule 274, when broken down on a motorway at night, you must leave your sidelights and hazard warning lights on. Furthermore, it explicitly states that you must not put a warning triangle on the carriageway or hard shoulder due to the severe danger involved.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Motorway Breakdown Procedures and Warning Devices