What should you do first when you need to perform a safe breakdown?

When you need to perform a safe breakdown, the first step is to signal and slow down to move off the road. This action is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to ensure your safety and the safety of other road users. By signaling your intentions early, you give other drivers adequate notice that you are slowing down and changing direction, which can prevent accidents.

Moving off the road, if possible, helps to remove your vehicle from the flow of traffic, reducing the risk of a collision. Once your vehicle is safely out of the way, you can proceed to activate your hazard warning lights and take other safety measures, such as setting out flares or warning triangles.

This sequence is critical because it prioritizes the safety of both the driver and others on the road. Getting out of the roadway is often the most urgent concern, allowing for a safer situation to address the breakdown without the immediate danger of oncoming traffic.