Road Shoulder Survival: Positioning the Car and Triangle for High-Speed Traffic | MyMechanic

Stabilise the car safely

• Drift left early: signal, ease off, and coast to the shoulder with gentle steering; stop before a bend or crest if the shoulder narrows.
• Park position: keep far right on the shoulder line while leaving room to exit on the left; angle wheels slightly toward the verge so a minor impact pushes the car away from live lanes.
• Lock‑in: hazards on, parking brake engaged, auto in Park/manual in first or reverse; keep steering straight or slightly to the verge.

Exiting and first actions

• Left‑side exit only; if a traffic‑side door must open, crack briefly and close promptly.
• Reflective readiness: vest on before walking behind the car; keep a torch/headlamp handy after dusk or in rain.
• Passenger plan: behind a barrier if nearby and calm; otherwise, keep everyone belted with hazards on.

• Baseline: set the triangle well behind the vehicle on a straight line of sight for smooth lane changes or slowing.
• Daylight/dry/straight: place far back on the shoulder, aligned with the lane, upright and stable against passing‑truck wind.
• Curves/crests: place before the blind spot even if it means walking farther.
• Strong wind/spray: weigh the base or offset from eddies so it stays upright; recheck after heavy vehicles pass.

• Become a lighthouse: hazards on; use fog lamps if helpful without dazzling others.
• Add a clip‑on beacon or LED strobe at the boot edge if available; avoid red/blue patterns that mimic enforcement.
• Night/heavy rain: increase triangle distance; place a second light near the rear corner to outline the footprint.

Do’s and don’ts beside fast lanes

• Do keep tools and bags on the verge side; nothing near the traffic edge.
• Do face oncoming traffic when placing the triangle; step off the shoulder if a vehicle veers.
• Don’t stand behind/in front of the car; don’t linger between guardrail openings; don’t cross live lanes—share a pin and photos.

• Only if wide, flat, and visible; work on the verge side; chock a wheel; never go under a jacked car; pause if traffic feels close.
• If conditions worsen (rain, darkness, bunching), stop, recheck the triangle, and request assistance or a tow.

What to recheck every few minutes

• Triangle still upright and visible.
• Hazards still flashing; voltage OK.
• Passenger plan: adjust ventilation or move behind a barrier if heat or fatigue builds.

• Pin‑first dispatch with KM marker, direction, and landmark to find the exact shoulder quickly.
• Right response first: jump‑start, tyre help, or tow based on clear cues—no wasted passes.
• End‑to‑end continuity: stabilising to workshop handover with concise updates focused on safety.

Frequently Asked Questions