Hazard lights at once
Switch on the hazard lights the moment you stop, not after thinking it over. If they do not work, placing the warning triangle matters all the more.
Safety
Staying safe after a forced stop
The most dangerous part of a breakdown is not the fault itself but people standing next to the car in a traffic lane. Passing drivers do not expect an obstacle, especially at night, in the rain or round a bend. A few simple steps noticeably reduce the risk while you wait for help.
A car can be repaired, so its place is on the hard shoulder, and yours is well away from the road.
We rely on the Russian Road Traffic Regulations and general safety leaflets for drivers; if you drive elsewhere, check your local rules and emergency number. There is no advice here on dealing with other parties to a crash or with the police, only on how to stay unhurt and protect your passengers.
On the hard shoulder
Six rules worth remembering whenever you stop outside a car park.
Triangle at the right distance
Carry the triangle towards oncoming traffic along the verge, not along the lane. Beyond a bend or on a rise, place it further than the minimum so drivers have time to see the obstacle.
Vest before you get out
Put the vest on inside the car. Outside built-up areas at night or in poor visibility, this is not just common sense but a legal requirement.
Passengers behind the barrier
Let people out on the verge side and take them behind the crash barrier or well away from the road. Do not leave anyone in the car on a highway if there is a safe place nearby.
Careful near traffic
If you have to walk round the car on the traffic side, do it quickly, facing the oncoming traffic, and do not linger by the driver's door.
Warmth and contact
In winter, conserve warmth and your phone battery, and keep water and warm clothes to hand. Let family know where you are and roughly how long you expect to wait.
What the rules say
Section 7.2 of the Russian Road Traffic Regulations requires drivers who make a forced stop to switch on the hazard lights and place a warning triangle. In built-up areas the triangle goes at least 15 m from the car, and outside built-up areas at least 30 m away.
Section 2.3.4 requires a driver who has made a forced stop outside a built-up area at night or in poor visibility to wear a jacket, vest or tabard with reflective strips while on the carriageway or the shoulder.
If you decide to tow the car, section 20.3 sets the distance: 4 to 6 m on a flexible tow and no more than 4 m on a rigid tow bar. Section 20.4 prohibits, among other cases, towing a car with inoperative steering. If life or health is at risk, call 112, the emergency number in Russia.
Read next
- Car kit
What to keep in the boot in case you break down, and what to ask a towing service before your car is loaded.
- Reviews
An overview of the ways to get help on the road (tow truck, roadside repair, towing, insurance cover) and a catalogue of articles.
- Questions
Answers to common questions about this guide, about tow trucks and towing, and about staying safe when you break down.
Sources
- Russian Road Traffic Regulations (sections 2.3.4, 7.2, 20.3, 20.4)
- EMERCOM of Russia — leaflets for drivers
Traffic rules are quoted from the Russian Road Traffic Regulations as in force on the date of preparation. Rules are revised from time to time and every car has its own quirks, so check the current text of the rules and your vehicle's owner's manual. If you drive outside Russia, check your local rules and emergency number.