WIREDGOV

Highways Agency advice to drivers after Met Office forecasts hot weather across England

News Release issued by the Government News Network on 29 June 2009

Road users are being encouraged to plan their journeys before they set off and to visit the Highways Agency’s website (http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic) which provides live traffic information, gives details of incidents, and shows where motorways and major A roads are flowing freely.

The website is now also available in a mobile-friendly version, which will load automatically on most devices or can be accessed directly from http://www.highways.gov.uk/mobile.

Road users can also contact our information line (08457 50 40 30) for up-to-the-minute information or tune in to DAB digital "Traffic Radio" or local radio stations to keep up to date while they are on the move.

Highways Agency Traffic Officers will also be on patrol and working in our control rooms 24-7 to help traffic flow smoothly and assist drivers who get into difficulty.

If you break down on a motorway – our top five tips

Remember it’s illegal to stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency, so never stop to read a map, go to the toilet or answer the phone - always drive to the next services area.

If there is an emergency, follow our top five personal safety tips:

* Park on the hard shoulder as far away from the carriageway as you can and near an emergency roadside telephone if possible – turn on your hazard warning lights.

* Get out immediately, with any passengers, through the nearside doors. Leave pets in the vehicle. Don’t try even the simplest of repairs.

* Contact us through the emergency roadside telephone - always use this in preference to a mobile phone, as your location will be pinpointed on the operator’s screen at the regional control centre.

* Wait for help behind a safety fence if possible - or as far away as you can get from the carriageway and hard shoulder.

* Get back in your vehicle if you feel at risk from another person - fasten your seatbelt and lock all doors. Get out again when the risk has passed.

Notes to Editors

Issued by the Highways Agency Press Office.

1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England’s motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.

2. The Highways Agency manages the motorways and major A roads in England. We use a range of high performance road surfaces which have been developed to minimise any adverse effects of high temperatures combined with heavy traffic flows. These road surfaces are designed to withstand extremes of temperature and have undergone extensive testing. These surfaces have been found to be very durable and have performed very well. No significant problems have been reported on the strategic road network. The Highways Agency continually monitors the condition of our roads, and were any problems to arise they would be dealt with immediately.

3. Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available:

- From our Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
- From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo or www.highways.gov.uk/mobile if using a phone or mobile device.
Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call.
- By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more).

4. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary.
Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call.)

Safety at roadworks

The Highways Agency is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:

- Keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety.
- Get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching.
- Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
- Be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
- Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front.
- Observe all signs – they are there to help you.

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Issued by the Highways Agency Press Office.