This Easter is set to be the busiest on UK roads in five years and drivers are being reminded to Slow Down Move Over so they can safely deliver their chocolate eggs.
The simple advice from leading breakdown provider Start Rescue helps protect motorists and roadside workers helping those who have broken down.
Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue, says: “Every day, skilled operatives put their lives at risk to make sure you are helped safely on your way or recovered so your car can be fixed. But we should also remember they have loved ones they want to get home to for Easter.”
The Highway Code states: “Drivers should be aware of emergency services, traffic officers, recovery workers and other people or vehicles stopped on the hard shoulder.”
A car travelling at 70mph on the motorway takes 96-metres to stop: that is 24 car lengths and inattentive drivers often don’t spot a vehicle on the hard shoulder or a recovery operative until the very last moment. That could be too late.
“It’s those split seconds that make all the difference between a recovery operative getting the job done unharmed and taking their lives in their hands,” says Lee Puffett. “Most of us wouldn’t even consider that sort of daily risk, so why should those brave souls working roadside have to?”
Drivers can also help prevent a breakdown with simple checks. Around half of all vehicle collisions on major roads are due to preventable causes, including underinflated tyres, worn brakes, running out of fuel, broken wipers and illegal tyres prone to punctures.
By avoiding a breakdown, you are protecting yourself, your family and roadside workers like recovery operatives and the emergency services.
Start Rescue, part of the Call Assist family, which supports motorists with breakdown cover across the UK and Europe has also achieved Which? Recommended Provider status for seven years in succession, an achievement that’s unmatched by any other vehicle recovery operator.
Which? is a fully independent consumer champion and, with 1.35 million members and supporters, they operate via a simple ethos: to tackle consumer harm and make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Only the best performers of their rigorous process of checks can reap the benefits of their Which? Trusted Trader endorsement.
Start Rescue has a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot, a five-star Defaqto** rating for its 3 star policy and has achieved Which? Recommended Provider status for a record-breaking seven years running. Start Rescue has also been awarded best Breakdown Cover provider in the Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards 2024 (www.finder.com), scoring 4.9 out of 5 for overall satisfaction with a 94% recommendation rate.
