If your car breaks down, what should you do?

When your car breaks down, safety is the top priority, both for yourself and for other drivers. Pulling off the road is crucial to prevent further accidents and to ensure that you're not creating a hazard for other vehicles. Turning on your hazard lights serves as a warning to other drivers that your car is stationary and may pose a risk. Placing emergency flares—or cones, if available—provides added visibility, especially at night or in low visibility conditions. This practice helps alert oncoming traffic, giving them a chance to slow down or change lanes, which significantly reduces the risk of collisions.

In contrast, leaving the car in the lane of traffic presents a significant danger to both you and other motorists. Ignoring the situation is also unsafe, as it could lead to accidents if other drivers are unaware of your presence. Waiting for help without any warnings can leave you vulnerable and is not advisable in any traffic situation. The outlined actions in the correct response help to ensure safety and proper signaling to other road users, which is essential when dealing with a breakdown.