Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of legally requiring cars that have broken down on motorways to display a hazard sign.

Rules relating to road users displaying hazard signs (e.g. warning triangles) in the event of a breakdown are set out in Rule 276 of The Highway Code. Rule 76 advises motorists not to place a warning sign on the carriage if they breakdown on a motorway. This is because priority is for the safety of the vehicle occupants, and, as a matter of urgency, they should move to a safe place away from fast moving traffic.

In line with The Highway Code, National Highways provides guidance to drivers on what to do in the event that their vehicle breaks down on any kind of high-speed road. This was the subject of a major campaign and there is further breakdown advice on their website.