Dealing with thousands of injury compensation claims every year, we see it as our duty to prevent accidents whenever possible. One area where we know a dramatic improvement can be made is by ensuring that people understand the serious danger associated with remaining in their car if they breakdown or have an accident and stay in their car on the hard shoulder. This article explains why you must get out of your car if you ever find yourself on a hard shoulder on the motorway.



Why Must I Get Out Of My Car?

People who remain in their car on the hard shoulder are seven times more likely to be injured on the hard shoulder than those who get out of their car and walk away from it up the motorway verge. This is even more important if you are on the hard shoulder when it is dark. Whilst many women may feel nervous away from their cars, they have far more chances of being seriously injured by another vehicle colliding with them on the hard shoulder. Please remember this and get out of your car if you ever find yourself on the hard shoulder.

Why Is It Safer Out Of The Car?

The main reason, and this is especially true at night, is that often the heaviest vehicles travel in the near side lane (ie the one next to the hard shoulder) and often these commercial drivers have been driving for long periods of time. If they are tired they can mistake the lights on your vehicle as showing that you are in the inside lane and move over to join the hard shoulder, realising their mistake too late and crushing your car.

How Should I Get Out Of The Car?

You should ensure that everyone gets out of the car on the near side - ie the side next to the motorway bank. No one should get out of the driver's side of the car, in case a driver drifts over and collides with your car door, or worse still, you. Even if you have young children or babies, get them out of the car as soon as possible, even if it is raining. What would you rather, a cold from being out in the rain, or possible fatal injuries through leaving them in the car that was subsequently crushed by a lorry? We are sorry to be so blunt, but as we say we prefer to prevent people being injured and if this means hard talk, we are prepared to do it.

What If I Have A Puncture?

Once you have come to a standstill on the hard shoulder, turn the wheels of your car to face into the bank of the motorway. This way, if anyone collides with your car it will not cause more damage by travelling back onto the carriageway. Do not attempt to repair the puncture yourself, call your emergency vehicle recovery company to do it for you. They will be trained to do it in the safest possible way. Many people have been killed whilst trying to repair a puncture on the hard shoulder. Once again, which would you prefer a bill for the repair or staying alive. It really can be that choice that you are making if you decide to attempt the puncture repair yourself.

Summary

We hope that we have convinced you, for your safety and those of your family, that you must get out of your car and away from the motorway if you find yourself on the hard shoulder. It could literally save your life.