BRIDGESTONE | SAFETY


Safety comes first in the event of a breakdown


Breakdowns are something almost every driver will experience at some point. The longer you spend behind the wheel, the greater the chances of it happening. Unfortunately, many drivers are injured or killed while either working on their vehicles or waiting for assistance on highways.


WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN THE EVENT OF A BREAKDOWN? Your safety and the safety of a co-driver or passenger should always be your first concern if your vehicle breaks down. Getting out of your vehicle at a busy intersection or on a highway hard shoulder to change a tyre or make a repair is probably one of the most dangerous things you can do. If your vehicle does breakdown, road safety experts recommend using the following precautions:


• Avoid getting out of the vehicle to make a repair on a busy highway. Get the


vehicle to a safe place before getting out. Try and stop your vehicle as far off the road as possible.


• If still functional, immediately turn on the hazard lights of your vehicle. At night it is


also advisable to leave the cabin light on.


• Use neon flares or triangles to mark your location once you are on


the side of the road. Marking your vehicle's location provides advance warning to other drivers. Place the triangles as far away from the truck or bus as possible; remember that an approaching vehicle travailing at 120 kilometres per hour covers over 30 metres per second. If the beacons are placed 100 metres away it only gives another motorist about three seconds to reach your vehicle.


• When you are outside of your vehicle on the highway, make yourself visible. If you


don't have a reflective vest, put on the


WHEN CAN I USE THE HARD SHOULDER? There are only three instances where stopping on the hard shoulder is permitted:


• In a breakdown • In an emergency • If told to stop by the police


IS IT EVER ACCEPTABLE TO DRIVE ON THE HARD SHOULDER? Drivers should only ever drive on the hard shoulder when slowing down to stop, either for the police or in an emergency or breakdown situation. You may use the hard shoulder when gaining speed to re-join the carriageway.


lightest colour piece of clothing available and carry a flashlight at night.


• In the case of a flat tyre or blowout, move the vehicle to a safer place before


attempting to fit the spare wheel, even if it means destroying the wheel getting there. The cost of a tyre, rim or wheel is minor compared to endangering your life.


• Call for breakdown / roadside assistance if required and inform the Police and


Emergency Services in the case that an accident caused the breakdown.


WHAT USEFUL ITEMS CAN I KEEP IN MY VEHICLE IN CASE OF A BREAKDOWN OR AN EMERGENCY? It is a good idea to have some or all of the following items in your vehicle in case of an emergency or breakdown situation: jumper cables, water, batteries, flashlight, neon flares, a basic toolkit, coolant and a first aid kit. A well- maintained vehicle is less likely to break down, so always keep your truck/bus in the best condition possible by sticking to regular service intervals.


WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BREAKDOWN ON A ROAD WITH NO HARD SHOULDER? Stop your vehicle as far away from moving traffic as possible and switch on the hazard warning lights. Only leave the vehicle when it is safe to do so, preferably by the door on the opposite side of moving traffic. Call for help using your mobile phone.


SHOULD I STOP TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING THAT FELL OFF MY VEHICLE? When driving on a highway or busy road, never stop on the hard shoulder to retrieve parts or other obstructive items that may have fallen from your vehicle while driving. Instead, stop when it is safe to do so and telephone the police to inform them of the location and any possible danger.


WHAT SHOULD I DO WHILE WAITING FOR BREAKDOWN ASSISTANCE HELP TO ARRIVE? It is dangerous to wait inside the vehicle if you are stopped alongside a busy highway. You are at risk of being hit from the rear at high speed by passing motorists. If possible, get out of the vehicle using the passenger door. Remember that anybody or anything on the hard shoulder has a very high risk of being struck by passing traffic. Wait for help on the verge, away from the parked vehicle. If your vehicle is safely out of traffic, wait inside with the doors locked. Use your mobile phone to call for help. Remember, during a breakdown your safety and those around you should be your number one priority.


real QUESTIONS real ANSWERS JANUARY 2012 5


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