Would you change a flat tyre on a motorway hard shoulder?

brat

Lum wrote: »

If I'm working in the nearside of the vehicle, especially the front tyre, I really don't want it getting punted towards the embankment. I guess it would depend a lot on the specifics of any given collision but I'd rather reduce the risk to the poor sod who is at the roadside unprotected even if it does increase the risk to those sat in their metal boxes full of airbags. Blame will lie with the dozy sod who drove into a parked car in the first place.

If you're stopping and getting out to wait for the RAC then absolutely point it towards the embankment to minimise the impact (lol) of any resulting collision, though I'd probably go with vehicle pointing straight ahead, wheels turned left, as this way it's less likely to get collected by sleepy people drifting slightly over the rumble strips.

The most important tool you have in these situations is alertness, and not being over-prescriptive about what you should do regarding protection of yourself and another hazard.

Re the OP, If someone is capable of changing a tyre on the hard shoulder, and keeps very alert while doing so, then I hope they'd get on with it - I would. Many people will not share this confidence, so they should get a professional to help. The police will not (anymore) change a tyre, nor should HATO. They should stop to help you get the correct assistance, and advise on your safety.

Lum

Well yes, but stuff you do by feel is somewhat harder to translate into words on a forum, where you can really only give general advice/opinions based on a typical scenario.

brat

Lum wrote: »

Well yes, but stuff you do by feel is somewhat harder to translate into words on a forum, where you can really only give general advice/opinions based on a typical scenario.

...and that's one of the problems with forums, because I was agreeing with what you were saying - that because there are so many different scenarios, each with different priorities, it's impossible to be too prescriptive.

SilverSaloon

I'm "handy" and do all my own car maintance so I can change the tyre easily and quickly, so I would do it quickly after pulling far enough across as i can but if i could i would be inclined to crawl with hazzards on to nearest junction or along to where i can safely drive into the left a bit more and then be very quick about it. No one would be in the car at this time, they would all be way up the bank behind the barrier. If it was mega basy and couldnt pull far enough across meaning i'd literally be crouched down at the side of a 70mph lane, i'd leave it and call out the AA or wait for the cops to arrive to block the lane whilst i change it over, as it would be too dangerous to change so close to traffic.

opinions4u

MrsE wrote: »

Why is it safer for the rac to do it?

Did you read the post?

It explained it.

I'll also add, it will be safer for me sat 30 feet up the embankment.

Rodney_Trotter

Why does everyone still think breakdowns are a police matter?

warehouse

I had a puncture on the A1 many moons ago and changed it myself, it was drivers side. It wasn't really that busy so i was able to keep an eye on anything approaching and was very alert. I remember clearly even now how bl**dy frightening it was when large vehicles went past at high speed. On a busy motorway not a chance, I'd be over that hard shoulder like a shot.

Once you've done it then your perceptions change.

Prothet_of_Doom

Given that I once changed a wheel in 4 minutes, on my drive, you'd think not waiting for help would be my prefered option.

BUT there is no way I'd spend 1 minute the wrong side of the crash barrier. Too many people have died. I wouldn't even get out of the drivers door, I'd climb over. I pay my RAC membership, and have used it twice in 3 years. One gearbox failure and one alternator failure.

Mankysteve

I'm the type who tries to get stuck into car maintenance quite happy servicing and minor repair, swaped wheels a few times.

I wouldn't change a tyre on the hard shoulder doesn't matter if your passenger or not all it takes is one truck to drift on top the hard shoulder and your chance are slim regardless of which side of the car your on.

Gra76

Given half a chance I'd crawl along the hard shoulder with my hazards on till I got off at the next exit, then I'd change the wheel there.

I know from experience I can have a wheel changed in a few minutes but I wouldn't fancy doing it on the hard shoulder of a motorway.

If I couldn't get to the next exit I'd be getting out the car and hopping over the crash barrier to ring my breakdown cover people.