Breakdown Advice The AA provides fast road side maintenance in the event of a breakdown. Here are some tips to keep you safe. Trip Preparation Before you leave, for a 5 minute trip or a daylong drive, you should prepare yourself for the possibility of a breakdown. Here is a checklist of items that should always be on hand. Mobile phone programmed with number for the AA and your breakdown cover. Blankets, water, and a snack. The AA responds fast, but these provisions will keep you comfortable until they arrive. Games and other entertainment if you are travelling with children. Leash and other restraint items if you are travelling with pets. Reflective jacket for yourself and extras for other passengers. Warning triangle During a Breakdown Often, the driver receives warning that their car is about to breakdown. Whether it's a dashboard light, a particular noise, or a strange feeling you should not ignore these warnings. Take the time you have been given to get you and your car to safe place. If you are on a motorway when your car starts to show signs of a breakdown, you should make a decision of whether you must pull over immediately or if you can exit the motorway to a safer location. If you must pull over follow these tips to stay safe. Pull as far left as possible on the hard shoulder. This will keep you well away from moving traffic. Ensure that your wheel is turned to the left. This will prevent your car from rolling into traffic. Leave your sidelights on and use your hazard flashers. This will ensure that you are visible to other traffic and your AA patrol. Leave the vehicle by the left-hand door and ensure that all passengers do the same. This will ensure that everyone stays as far from moving traffic as possible. While on the verge keep all children and animals under control. This is where the children's games and pet's leashes will be useful. You should not remain in your vehicle unless you feel threatened by another person. In this case, return to your vehicle by the left hand doors and lock yourself in until the threat has passed. In circumstances where you do not have a chance to pull out of the carriageway, then you must leave your car wherever it has stopped. Immediately switch on your hazard warning lights and attempt to leave your vehicle. It is important that you do not remain in your vehicle, but you should also be patient and wait for a safe break in traffic in order to exit. As you wait you can all for help from your mobile. If you breakdown on the motorway do not attempt to place a warning triangle, it is too dangerous to do so. If your car breakdown occurs on a road other than a motorway, you have more options available. Pull the car onto a less busy route or as far to the side as possible. Turn on your hazard lights, exit the vehicle safely, and place your warning triangle at least 45 meters behind your vehicle. Calling for Help If you are on a motorway and do not have a mobile with you, you will find emergency telephones at approximately one mile intervals along the hard shoulder. It is best that only one person walk to make the call, but do not leave children or pets unattended. The emergency telephone will connect you directly to the police. Whether you are calling the emergency operations or AA on your mobile, be sure to describe your location clearly. Getting Back on the Road After AA has quickly arrived and attended your vehicle you should be ready to continue your trip. The first thing to do is gather up any of your belongings that you have taken from your vehicle, including your warning cone. If you have been pulled over on the hard shoulder of a motorway, start driving along the hard shoulder to build up speed before rejoining the carriageway.