Highways England Traffic Officer looks at avoiding Bank Holiday breakdowns

Highways England Traffic Officer looks at avoiding Bank Holiday breakdowns

Highways England traffic officers work around the clock to help people who get into difficulty – and one has taken to YouTube to share her expertise as motorists set to travel for the late May bank holiday.

In a series of videos, Siobhan Wares uses her expertise to help motorists heading off on their travels get their vehicles ready for the road in a bid to cut the number of breakdowns.

And motorists taking to the road over the May bank holiday are being urged to have a look at their vehicle before setting off.

Almost half of all breakdowns are caused by simple mechanical problems which could be avoided with simple checks and nearly a quarter are caused by tyre problems.

Meanwhile, around 22 motorists break down each day because they run out of fuel.

Highways England produced five short instructional videos featuring Siobhan explaining how to check tyre pressure, tyre tread, oil and water levels and lights to help prevent needless breakdowns and cut the unnecessary delays they cause.

Siobhan, from West Sussex, a South East-based traffic officer patrolling the M25 and other major routes, appears in each of the videos and warned breakdowns can lead to more serious incidents.

The 48-year-old mother-of-three said: “We deal with lots of breakdowns, often caused by people running out of fuel or their engine seizing up, but if you carry out the basic checks you’re not just avoiding inconvenience, you’re keeping yourself and others safe.

“If you breakdown and you have family with you, your passengers as well as other road users are being put at risk.”

Siobhan joined Highways England’s traffic officer service nine years ago as an operator in the South East Regional Control Centre, before becoming an on-road traffic officer four years ago.
“A motorist breaking down on the M25 can end up completely blocking the motorway,” she said. “It’s not rocket science; check your fuel, tyres, oil and water.”

The videos cover:

• Checking tyres: Prior to setting off on a long/significant journey, check your tyre pressure and the condition of your tyres, including the spare. Look out for cuts or wear and make sure the tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, which is the legal limit.
• Checking engine oil: Use your dipstick to check oil before any long journey, and top up if needed. Take your car back to the garage if you’re topping up more than usual.
• Checking water: To ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screen wash topped up so you can clear debris or dirt off your windscreen.
• Checking lights: If your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights are not functioning properly, you are putting yourself and your family at risk. In addition, light malfunctions can be a reason for your vehicle to fail its MoT.
• Motorists are also urged to: Check fuel: Before setting out, check your fuel levels and make sure you have enough to get to your destination.

To help motorists, Highways England is also removing some 237 miles of roadworks by 6am on Friday 25 May meaning more than 98 per cent of the motorway and A-road network managed by Highways England, will be roadworks-free. The roadworks will not be put back in place until 00:01 Tuesday 29 May.

UK Roadworks completed for the May Bank Holidays:

• A21 (near Tunbridge Wells) – Resurfacing – 3 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A27 (near Fontwell, Sussex) – Resurfacing – 1 mile of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A21 (near Flimwell) – Traffic lights and convoy working – 0.5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A26 (near Lewes, Sussex) – Resurfacing – 4.5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A1M junction 2 (near Weltham Green) – Improvement/upgrading – 0.3 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A10 / M25 junction 25 (near Enfield) – Inspection/surveys – 0.15 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A1089 / A13 (near South Ockendon) – Carriageway sweeping – 0.3 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A20 / M20 junction 1 (near Swanley) – Carriageway – reconstruction/repair – 9.15 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M40 Swakeleys to Denham (near Gerrards Cross) – White lining/road markings – 0.8 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M4 junction 2 (near Chiswick) – Inspection/survey – 0.15 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A23 / M23 (near Merstham) – Inspection/surveys – 0.15 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A30 Egham (near Egham) – Drainage – 0.2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M26 junction 2A / M20 junction 3 (near Addington) – Carriageway – reconstruction/repair – 1.6 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M26 junction M25 to junction 2A (near Kemsing) – Safety barrier/fence repairs – 1.2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M1 junctions 5 to 4 (near Bushey) – Drainage – 2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M20 junctions 3 to 2 (near Wrotham) – Carriageway – reconstruction/repair – 3.1 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M11 junctions 6 to 4 (near Chigwell) – Sweeping of carriageway – 2.9 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A2 junction M25 to Darenth (near Dartford) – Litter clearance – 1.9 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A282 QEII Bridge (near Dartford) – Construction – improvement/upgrading – 2.4 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A282 junction 2 (near Darenth) – Inspection/survey – 3.6 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A13 / M25 junction 31 (near Aveley) – Construction – improvement/upgrading – 0.15 miles of roadworks completed for Late May bank holiday.
• A13 junction A126-junction A1089 (near West Thurrock) – Sweeping of carriageway – 2.1 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A3 Esher (near Esher) – Litter clearance – 0.5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A3 Painshill (near Painshill) – Litter clearance – 0.6 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A3 junction with the A244 to A245 (near Oxshott) – Litter clearance – 2.1 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A3 junction with the A245 (near Oxshott) – Litter clearance – 2.5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 / M40 (near Gerrards Cross) – Carriageway – reconstruction/repair – 0.1 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 29 to 28 (near Brentwood) – Carriageway – reconstruction/repair – 2.8 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 27 to 28 (near Navestock) – Electrical works – 1.3 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 29 31 (near South Ockendon) – Sweeping of carriageway – 2.5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 12 to 10 (near Addlestone) – Litter clearance – 2.7 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 16 to 17 (near Gerrards Cross) – Electrical works – 0.7 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 16 to 15 (near Uxbridge) – Electrical works – 0.45 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 6 to 5 (near Westerham) – Construction – improvement/upgrading – 2.45 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 26 to 27 (near Epping) – Structure maintenance – 2.4 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 6 to 8 (near Merstham) – Electrical repairs – 2.45 miles of roadworks completed for Late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 6 to 4 (near Westerham) – Litter clearance – 2.5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 24 to 26 (near Waltham Abbey) – Construction – improvement/upgrading – 4.25 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 24 to 25 (near Crews Hill) – Construction – improvement/upgrading – 2.8 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 22 to 24 (near Potters Bar) – Sweeping of carriageway – 3 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 23 to 25 (near Potters Bar) – Construction – improvement/upgrading – 4.25 miles of roadworks completed for Late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 7 to 8 (near Merstham) – Electrical repairs – 2.6 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junction 20 (near Kings Langley) – Structure – maintenance – 0.2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junction 30 (near South Ockendon) – Structure – maintenance – 0.2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junction 25 (near Bulls Cross) – Electrical works – 0.8 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 19 to 21 (near Kings Langley) – Structure – maintenance – 1.6 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 2 to 3 (near Swanley) – Carriageway – reconstruction/repair – 1 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junction 4 (near Badger’s Mount) – Structure – maintenance – 0.4 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 / M20 (near Swanley) – Carriageway – Reconstruction/repair – 0.5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junction 25 (near Bulls Cross) – Construction – Improvement/upgrading – 0.2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 27 to 26 (near Epping) – Construction – Improvement/upgrading – 2.7 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junctions 9 to 8 (near Leatherhead) – Inspection/survey – 0.5 miles of roadworks completed for Late May bank holiday.
• M25 junction 30 (near South Ockendon) – Structure – maintenance – 0.2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junction 30 (near South Ockendon) – Sweeping of carriageway – 0.15 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M25 junction 29 (near Upminster) – Carriageway – reconstruction/repair – 0.3 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A1 Long Bennington (near Grantham) – Survey works – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A1 Long Bennington to Winthorpe (near Newark On Trent) – Routine cyclic maintenance – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A1 Winthorpe to Carlton on Trent (near Newark On Trent) – Routine cyclic maintenance – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A1 Winthorpe (near Newark On Trent) – Survey works – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A5 Newton to Gibbets (near Rugby) – Carriageway repair – 0.75 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A14 junctions 12 to 13 (near Thrapstone) – Drainage surveys – 3 miles of roadworks completed for Late May bank holiday.
• A14 junction 7 (near Kettering) – Local authority works on A43 – 1 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A14 junctions 1 to 2 (near Market Harborough) – Survey works – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A38 Kingsway (near Derby) – Survey works – 1.5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A42 M1 to Measham (near Ashby De Le Zouch) – Litter picking – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A43 Evenley to Oxford Road roundabout (near Brackley) – Junction improvements – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A43 Silverstone (near Silverstone) – Layby white lining – 0.25 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A43 Evenly to Barley Mow (near Brackley) – Carriageway repair – 1.25 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A45 Knuston Lodge to Chownsmill. (near Wellingborough) – Junction improvements – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A45 Little Irchester to Knuston Lodge. (near Wellingborough) – Junction improvements – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A46 Anstey (near Leicester) – Horticultural works – 0.25 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A46 Kneeton to Farndon (near Newark On Trent) – Routine cyclic maintenance – 5 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A47 Shoreboat to Pullover (near Kings Lynn) – Resurfacing works – 2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A47 Saddlebow, Kings Lynn – Resurfacing works – 2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A1 junctions 8 to 10 (near Baldock) – Waterproofing and bridge repairs – 8 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.

Roadworks lifted:

• A1 Elkesley (near Retford) – Bridge maintenance – 5 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A5 Weedon (near Daventry) – Junction improvements – 2.5 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A5 Old Stratford Roundabout (near Old Stratford) – Carriageway resurfacing – 0.25 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A14 junctions 5 to 10 (near Kettering) – Routine maintenance – 5 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A14 junctions 10 to 11 (near Kettering) – Surveys – 5 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A14 Catthorpe (M1/M6) to junction 1 (near Rugby) – Routine maintenance – 5 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A14 junction 52 (near Claydon) – Re-waterproofing, deck expansion joint replacement, resurfacing – 3 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A38 M1 (junction 28) – Ripley (near Alfreton) – Resurfacing – 5 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A453 Farnborough Road – Silverdale and A52 – Nottingham Knight (near Nottingham) – Carriageway repairs – 5 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A46 Hobby Horse – Widmerpool (near Leicester) – Drainage work – 5 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• A282 DRC West Tunnel (near Dartford) – Tunnel maintenance – 0.55 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A282 DRC East Tunnel (near Dartford) – Tunnel maintenance – 0.6 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• A282 junction 1A (near Dartford) – Tunnel maintenance – 0.2 miles of roadworks completed for late May bank holiday.
• M1 junction 13-14 (near Milton Keynes) – Essential works (Veg. clearance and ecological mitigation) – 2 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• M20 junctions 3 to 5 (near Maidstone) – Upgrade to smart motorway – 6 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• M23 junctions 8 to 10 (near Redhill) – Upgrade to smart motorway – 12 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• M55 junction 4-3 (near Blackpool) – Carriageway resurfacing – 1 mile of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.
• M62 junctions 30 to 32 (near Castleford) – Barrier and surfacing renewal – 8.7 miles of roadworks lifted for late May bank holiday.