Hard-shoulder protocol reminders

Traffic Officers in the north-west will be distributing leaflets from the Safe Use of Roadside Verges in Vehicular Emergencies (SURVIVE) - a partnership comprising the Highways Agency, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and representatives from the breakdown and recovery industry including the AA, RAC and Green Flag.

The group has been set up to protect highway workers and motorists unfortunate enough to need to stop at the roadside to wait for assistance after an accident or breakdown.

Caravan owners, who use the roads more than most, are well aware of the dangers of waiting on the side of busy motorways for help to arrive.

Jamie Carr, network operations manager in charge of the North West Traffic Officer Service, said: "The hard shoulder is there for use in an emergency only and the leaflet gives vital advice to anyone who finds themselves in what can be an intimidating situation.

"Obviously the leaflet warns against people stopping needlessly - like reading a map or even taking a nap - but the main aim is to help people to take the right course of action when they do break down in an emergency."

Vehicle owners are encouraged to use the orange telephones to call for help and then to leave the vehicle and wait behind the safety barriers until help arrives.

09/01/2008 11:30:54