If your car broke down on the motorway...

Beta Ray Bill

Read this story:
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/suspended-sentence-for-truck-driver-who-caused-motorists-death-in-m50-accident-898455.html

Basically what happened was a persons car broke down on the M50 at 5am on a Wednesday morning.
The Car broke down on one of the lanes and the driver didn't make it to the hard shoulder.
The person stayed in their car for approximately 17 minutes attempting to contact their insurance company.
The hazard lights were turned on but there was torrential rain that morning.
Other cars avoided the broken down car.
A truck then hit the car, then another truck hit it. The occupant was died in hospital a few days later.
The Truck driver of the first truck was sentenced today for dangerous driving.
1 Year suspended sentence
Licence suspended for 4 years

If it were me, and it was 5am on the Motorway, I'd have gotten out of the car when a gap appeared an made my way either to the centre divide or the hard shoulder/embankment as soon as the gap appeared.
There is no way I'd have stayed in the car.

I think the licence suspended for the truck driver is harsh, it's their livelihood that's been taken away and they have no previous convictions and have shown remorse for what happened.
I think it was very stupid of the person to stay in the Car on a Motorway at that time of the day given the poor visibility.

Would you get out of or stay in the car?

harr

grahambo wrote: »

Read this story:
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/suspended-sentence-for-truck-driver-who-caused-motorists-death-in-m50-accident-898455.html

Basically what happened was a persons car broke down on the M50 at 5am on a Wednesday morning.
The Car broke down on one of the lanes and the driver didn't make it to the hard shoulder.
The person stayed in their car for approximately 17 minutes attempting to contact their insurance company.
The hazard lights were turned on but there was torrential rain that morning.
Other cars avoided the broken down car.
A truck then hit the car, then another truck hit it. The occupant was died in hospital a few days later.
The Truck driver of the first truck was sentenced today for dangerous driving.
1 Year suspended sentence
Licence suspended for 4 years

If it were me, and it was 5am on the Motorway, I'd have gotten out of the car when a gap appeared an made my way either to the centre divide or the hard shoulder/embankment as soon as the gap appeared.
There is no way I'd have stayed in the car.

I think the licence suspended for the truck driver is harsh, it's their livelihood that's been taken away and they have no previous convictions and have shown remorse for what happened.
I think it was very stupid of the person to stay in the Car on a Motorway at that time of the day given the poor visibility.

Would you get out of or stay in the car?

Sounds like a harsh punishment alright, if it was me hazard lights on, Over then if possible behind a barrier on hard shoulder or far enough out of the way and call the emergency services ASAP.

redcup342

grahambo wrote: »

Read this story:
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/suspended-sentence-for-truck-driver-who-caused-motorists-death-in-m50-accident-898455.html

Basically what happened was a persons car broke down on the M50 at 5am on a Wednesday morning.
The Car broke down on one of the lanes and the driver didn't make it to the hard shoulder.
The person stayed in their car for approximately 17 minutes attempting to contact their insurance company.
The hazard lights were turned on but there was torrential rain that morning.
Other cars avoided the broken down car.
A truck then hit the car, then another truck hit it. The occupant was died in hospital a few days later.
The Truck driver of the first truck was sentenced today for dangerous driving.
1 Year suspended sentence
Licence suspended for 4 years

If it were me, and it was 5am on the Motorway, I'd have gotten out of the car when a gap appeared an made my way either to the centre divide or the hard shoulder/embankment as soon as the gap appeared.
There is no way I'd have stayed in the car.

I think the licence suspended for the truck driver is harsh, it's their livelihood that's been taken away and they have no previous convictions and have shown remorse for what happened.
I think it was very stupid of the person to stay in the Car on a Motorway at that time of the day given the poor visibility.

Would you get out of or stay in the car?

Very sad, but you are right, not much the Truck driver(s) could do about it, death of the Woman would have been more than enough punishment.

Don't know if i'd really handle getting out of the car in the pissing rain on the M50 either tbh.

But society needs someone to blame so in this case it's the Truck Driver

But I would be ringing the Gardai not the Insurance company.

Atlantic Dawn

I wouldn't even stay in the car on the hard shoulder.

grahambo

grahambo wrote: »

............

Would you get out of or stay in the car?

I wouldn't stay in a stationary car on the motorway if at all avoidable.
Hard shoulder included.

redcup342

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I wouldn't even stay in the car on the hard shoulder.

Yeh but at least you can get out and over the barrier, if you are in the overtaking lane and d!cks are undertaking you as they do on the M50 then it's quite difficult to pull into the hard should if you are losing power.

Edit:

Imagine running across from the overtaking lane (3 lanes) in the p1ssing rain

Wishbone Ash

grahambo wrote: »

....If it were me, and it was 5am on the Motorway, I'd have gotten out ....

I'd have gotten out regardless of the time.

whomitconcerns

redcup342 wrote: »

Very sad, but you are right, not much the Truck driver(s) could do about it, death of the Woman would have been more than enough punishment.

Don't know if i'd really handle getting out of the car in the pissing rain on the M50 either tbh.

But society needs someone to blame so in this case it's the Truck Driver

But I would be ringing the Gardai not the Insurance company.

This is the unfortunate but I don't get... I would call the gardai immediately and try get to the side of possible.. What were her insurance company going to do to help... But this would not always be possible I can imagine.... Sad situation.

Wishbone Ash

redcup342 wrote: »

Very sad, but you are right, not much the Truck driver(s) could do about it....

Well he admitted in court he wasn't paying attention. Other drivers spotted the hazard lights and acted accordingly.

Atlantic Dawn

One recommendation that should have come out of it is the need to have a Hi Viz vest in every car when travelling on a motorway, not saying it would have saved her if she exitted the vehicle but it would have made her much more visible if she had to. I know they are mandatory in France.

Wishbone Ash

whomitconcerns wrote: »

... What were her insurance company going to do to help....

Presumably her policy included breakdown assistance.

punisher5112

You are told to get out of a car and get to a safe place if at all possible.

Just because one motorist seen it rain and spray can change in seconds.

Why did he admit to careless driving.

I think it's very wrong, the car shouldn't have been there, 1st call in them situations is 999 and state location.

EPAndlee

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

One recommendation that should have come out of it is the need to have a Hi Viz vest in every car when travelling on a motorway, not saying it would have saved her if she exitted the vehicle but it would have made her much more visible if she had to. I know they are mandatory in France.

Don't most new cars come with the safety pack these days?

Gravelly

Very harsh on the truck driver. As others have said, I would get out even if I was on the hard shoulder. Seems almost vindictive to prosecute the guy for that.

allybhoy

grahambo wrote: »

Read this story:
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/suspended-sentence-for-truck-driver-who-caused-motorists-death-in-m50-accident-898455.html


I think it was very stupid of the person to stay in the Car on a Motorway at that time of the day given the poor visibility.

I think it's very stupid to be giving your opinion on the matter when you

A. Werent there.
B. Didnt know the person. (I did btw, and she was far from stupid)
C. Calling a person stupid who has died in tragic circumstances.

For what its worth, you are only supposed to leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so and you can get across the cariageway safely which one would assume she felt she was incapable of doing giving the torrential rain and reduced visibility at the time.

dudara

I was involved in something similar years ago. My car lost power on the N7 three lane carriageway. I made it to the hard shoulder, but I didn’t get out straight away (I know!) as I was getting stuff sorted. Another driver (an elderly gent who was driving on the hard shoulder) rear-ended me. Thankfully my big car versus his Micra worked in my favour but still very scary.

Staying in a broken down car on a motorway or in a hard shoulder is one of the quickest things you can do to shorten your lifespan.

I understand from the article that the truck driver failed to see the hazards, but it literally only takes one oversight, one mistake and that’s it, game over. I do feel huge sympathy for the truck driver.

McCrack

It is extremely dangerous to be stationary on a motorway and also stopped in the hard shoulder - I see it regularly - people pulled over the hard shoulder to take/make phone calls etc - they dont realise the danger they are putting themselves in at all -

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/suspended-sentence-for-truck-driver-who-caused-the-death-of-young-mother-1.3496298

MrMusician18

It's worth knowing that there's free 24hr rescue on the M50.

Toots

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I wouldn't even stay in the car on the hard shoulder.

I think it’s recommnded that you exit the vehicle and wait well behind the barrier until help arrives. I was traveling with a colleague and his car broke down on the M50, and he pulled in on the shoulder and we got out and went about halfway up the embankment thing behind the barrier while we waited for the AA.

That being said, if I broke down in the middle of the M50, I could totally understand how someone would think safest thing to do is wait in the car, as opposed to trying to run across multiple lanes of the motorway. It was scary enough standing beside it while cars and trucks went racing past, the idea of trying to run across would seem like insanity.

Wishbone Ash

allybhoy wrote: »

...Calling a person stupid who has died in tragic circumstances.....

Steady on.

He/she described the action as stupid, not the person.

Isambard

It was 5am, I imagine she should have been able to get to safety.She should have got out and up the bank and then phoned 999 as she was creating a hazzard.

MrMusician18

Toots wrote: »

I think it’s recommnded that you exit the vehicle and wait well behind the barrier until help arrives. I was traveling with a colleague and his car broke down on the M50, and he pulled in on the shoulder and we got out and went about halfway up the embankment thing behind the barrier while we waited for the AA.

That being said, if I broke down in the middle of the M50, I could totally understand how someone would think safest thing to do is wait in the car, as opposed to trying to run across multiple lanes of the motorway. It was scary enough standing beside it while cars and trucks went racing past, the idea of trying to run across would seem like insanity.

At 5am it would be quiet enough

whomitconcerns

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Presumably her policy included breakdown assistance.

They weren't going to help her in the middle of the M50. Gardai first.. Then leave as soon as safe to do so.. Then worry about insurance and break down. None of the latter any use if your dead. As unfortunately happened here.

Isambard

Anyway, it's a tragedy. All I can do is express my condolences to all concerned. We don't always make the right decisons in life.

EdgeCase

The one thing I'd say is that if you see a car in the hard shoulder on most Irish motorways, it's advisable to put your indicator on and move into the overtaking lane to give them plenty of space.

The hard shoulders are pretty tight, it gives them a bit of a less frightening experience and also any traffic behind you will see your indicator and manoeuvre and know to avoid.

Sometimes in the dark it's not even entirely clear if a car's fully in then hard shoulder until you get quite close up, especially where the road's not totally straight. So, I always give them plenty of room.

I'm very aware of doing that after I saw a guy changing a wheel with his human rear end literally out into lane 1 of the M8!

Also if you are stopped in the hard shoulder PUT YOUR HAZARDS ON!
I've seen cars stopped without them on on a few occasions.

SweetCaliber

I think she was wrong to stay in the car. It being raining is no excuse. As others mentioned if it was raining it could have been hard to see the car, it also takes a lot more braking power to stop a truck than a car or to slow down and move to the other lane.

Dont think the truck driver should be punished. Its a horrible situation though.

I fair to understand why the car wasnt able to make it to the hard shoulder. If the engine cut out surely you would be able to make it over to the hard shoulder before coming to a stop ?

punisher5112

MrMusician18 wrote: »

At 5am it would be quiet enough

Correct, the M50 at that time is somewhat busy but not to the point that there is no gaps or room.

She had 17 minutes to find a chance to leave.

I wonder did any motorist that witnessed the vehicle call 999 as they should have with it obstructing a live lane.

Those sign gantries should have been fitted from day one.

Toots

MrMusician18 wrote: »

At 5am it would be quiet enough

Yes, but it would also have been dark and pissing rain, she might not have felt she could have gotten out of the car and across the road safely.

Guy:Incognito

Toots wrote: »

.

That being said, if I broke down in the middle of the M50, I could totally understand how someone would think safest thing to do is wait in the car, as opposed to trying to run across multiple lanes of the motorway. It was scary enough standing beside it while cars and trucks went racing past, the idea of trying to run across would seem like insanity.

In 17 minutes at 5 in the morning I'm sure there was plenty of chances to get out and get to the barrier.

Sitting in a stationary car in the middle of the motorway in the rain was about the worst option to take.

Mint Sauce

Out of the car, over the crash barrier, and call the guards. What did they expect the insurance company were going to do.

Really have to feel for the truck driver though.

Cartroubles

Am I missing something here? The driver said he wasn't paying attention and failed to avoid the car where other drivers succeeded. He was in the wrong completely. Pay attention when driving, simple.

But no way I'd stay in the car. Drive on the m50 daily, the standard of driving is shocking.

SweetCaliber

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

In 17 minutes at 5 in the morning I'm sure there was plenty off chances to get out and get to the barrier.

Sitting in a stationary car in the middle of the motorway in the rain was about the worst option to take.

Anyone that thinks its safer to sit in their car in torrential rain in the dark in a live lane on the m50 is out of their minds, as proven in this thread.

endacl

I was in a situation several year ago on the m50 in heavy traffic. All sorts of dashboard lights came on and the car lost power. Would rev ok, but didn’t get as far as the wheels. I was in the overtaking lane at the time, heading north just after Dundrum. I flicked the indicator on, intending to move left towards the shoulder, and as I gradually slowed, the reaction of drivers behind was to undertake at speed, to avoid slowing. It was a truck driver who copped what was going on and let me firstly into the middle lane, and then shadowed me into the driving lane. Without that particular truck driver (a Stobart). I’d have been in exactly the same position. Stuck in lane 3 with nowhere to go.

peasant

Btw

If your car engine ever conks out in a really bad spot and you need to move it a few meters to safety, you can get going on the starter motor alone.

Leave it in gear, turn the starter on and immediately press the clutch (letting go of the starter key). This should give you a little push...rinse and repeat until out of danger.
You could also try to keep the starter turning and modulate the clutch, that should also move you a bit.

Obviously not great for the components involved...but better than getting crushed by a 40 ton truck

cruizer101

5am means quiet enough so should be gaps but that also means cars going by faster and so more dangerous.
The right thing to do is to get off the road behind the barrier but I can understand someone being nervous about getting out of car on motorway and running across two lanes, especially if visibility isn't great.
I wouldn't judge as no-one here knows the exact circumstances of the situation.
Just a lesson to all to try get off the motorway if you breakdown, and in heavy rain slow down.

ED E

Orange, flashing lights. Hard Shoulder.





And again




And again






Inattentive drivers are everywhere (RSA estimate at any one time 2-6% of motorists are using their phone).
Get Out.
Stay Out.
Walk back towards traffic behind the barrier (so flying debris doesn't flay you)

Guy:Incognito

Cartroubles wrote: »

Am I missing something here? The driver said he wasn't paying attention and failed to avoid the car where other drivers succeeded. He was in the wrong completely. Pay attention when driving, simple.

But no way I'd stay in the car. Drive on the m50 daily, the standard of driving is shocking.

Where did the driver say that? He said he didn't see the hazards .

The judge said at the bottom of the article that people can be inattentive at times and that he has himself.

Wishbone Ash

whomitconcerns wrote: »

They weren't going to help her in the middle of the M50. Gardai first.. Then leave as soon as safe to do so.. Then worry about insurance and break down. None of the latter any use if your dead. As unfortunately happened here.

You're preaching to the converted. I was merely suggesting what she may have been trying to do.

CJhaughey

On UK motorways the life expectancy of someone stopped in the hard shoulder not the middle of the motorway is 15-20 minutes.
I don't care if its snowing or sleeting if you break down you get out of the car safely and move to the roadside as soon as you can.
Sitting in a broken down car on a motorway at any time is only starting the clock ticking before something hits you.

Toots

cruizer101 wrote: »

5am means quiet enough so should be gaps but that also means cars going by faster and so more dangerous.
The right thing to do is to get off the road behind the barrier but I can understand someone being nervous about getting out of car on motorway and running across two lanes, especially if visibility isn't great.
I wouldn't judge as no-one here knows the exact circumstances of the situation.
Just a lesson to all to try get off the motorway if you breakdown, and in heavy rain slow down.

The thing is it’s not really publicised that it’s so dangerous to stay in the vehicle, and I could totally understand someone feeling that they’d be better protected by their car, as opposed to running across the motorway.

Out of interest, if you break down in the far right lane, are you supposed to go behind the crash barrier in the median, or go across the lanes to the one behind the hard shoulder?

punisher5112

Toots wrote: »

The thing is it’s not really publicised that it’s so dangerous to stay in the vehicle, and I could totally understand someone feeling that they’d be better protected by their car, as opposed to running across the motorway.

Out of interest, if you break down in the far right lane, are you supposed to go behind the crash barrier in the median, or go across the lanes to the one behind the hard shoulder?

Safest option would be centre unless you have a good break in traffic.

Stay away from the car as in don't be past it or right beside be behind and back a bit so as not to be hit with anything if a crash occurred.

CJhaughey

Toots wrote: »

The thing is it’s not really publicised that it’s so dangerous to stay in the vehicle, and I could totally understand someone feeling that they’d be better protected by their car, as opposed to running across the motorway.

Out of interest, if you break down in the far right lane, are you supposed to go behind the crash barrier in the median, or go across the lanes to the one behind the hard shoulder?

If it was just me in the car I would go over on to the median strip if it was any way busy because my time exposed to danger is less than crossing three lanes.
at 5am I would see if the traffic was liight enough to cross to the hard shoulder and hop the barrier and climb up the bank.
This should be taught in driving classes and reinforced by the RSA, people really don't understand the danger they are in stopped on a motorway or even a busy dual carriageway, I've seen families stopped on the hard shoulder for a kid to pee.

Atlantic Dawn

Once the ignition is off all the safety systems will also be dead, no airbags or seatbelt pre tensioners will work if the car is crashed in to.

blackbox

Toots wrote: »

The thing is it’s not really publicised that it’s so dangerous to stay in the vehicle, and I could totally understand someone feeling that they’d be better protected by their car, as opposed to running across the motorway.

The RSA recently had a TV campaign exactly publicising that.

Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of all drivers not to crash into anything.

Cartroubles

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Where did the driver say that? He said he didn't see the hazards .

The judge said at the bottom of the article that people can be inattentive at times and that he has himself.

He obviously didn't see them due to lack of paying attention, unless you're implying the rain was so heavy that it blocked them out? If visibility was that poor he should have drastically reduced his speed.

People can be inattentive, unfortunately this time it cost a life. Some form of punishment needs to be given. Compared with a life, his sentence isn't so bad. Very bad luck for him though.

Guy:Incognito

blackbox wrote: »

The RSA recently had a TV campaign exactly publicising that.

Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of all drivers not to crash into anything.

They had a long running one about roundabouts too but I'm seeing more and more people indicating right on roundabouts ( including in the left lane on roads with 2 lanes ) when going straight at them.

Some people just dont want to be educated.......

lawred2

redcup342 wrote: »

Very sad, but you are right, not much the Truck driver(s) could do about it, death of the Woman would have been more than enough punishment.

Don't know if i'd really handle getting out of the car in the pissing rain on the M50 either tbh.

But society needs someone to blame so in this case it's the Truck Driver

But I would be ringing the Gardai not the Insurance company.

Better wet than dead

lawred2

redcup342 wrote: »

Yeh but at least you can get out and over the barrier, if you are in the overtaking lane and d!cks are undertaking you as they do on the M50 then it's quite difficult to pull into the hard should if you are losing power.

Edit:

Imagine running across from the overtaking lane (3 lanes) in the p1ssing rain

Jump the central reservation

Toots

CJhaughey wrote: »

If it was just me in the car I would go over on to the median strip if it was any way busy because my time exposed to danger is less than crossing three lanes.
at 5am I would see if the traffic was liight enough to cross to the hard shoulder and hop the barrier and climb up the bank.
This should be taught in driving classes and reinforced by the RSA, people really don't understand the danger they are in stopped on a motorway or even a busy dual carriageway, I've seen families stopped on the hard shoulder for a kid to pee.

My sister in law stopped on the hard shoulder to feed her baby. I sh1t you not. She couldn’t understand why her husband lost the plot at her when she told him. My nightmare is breaking down on a motorway with the kids in the car and having to get them all out quickly and behind the barrier.

Voodoomelon

I'd wager 90%+ of people would sit in their car stuck in a lane or on the hard shoulder. Utterly foolish. I understand not everyone is fully mobile/some may have babies/small kids etc. But standing in rain, hail or snow is 1000% times better than being mashed. Stand on the hard shoulder behind the barrier and wait for assistance, it's usually never more than a few minutes away.

Auguste Comte

If I remember correctly there was also a woman killed after stopping on the m8 to take a phone call, truck involved. Another on the M1 involved 2 trucks.

Tragedy for every one involved.