Highways Agency

Don't be that guy

You know the person we're talking about. The one who caused a two-hour tailback because they broke down in the middle of the road. Or the one who cut you up on the motorway because he almost missed his exit. How about the one who ran out of petrol in the middle of nowhere?

In some way or another we've all been the giver, or receiver of the disapproving headshake or the angry fist, and as the amount of traffic on our roads escalates, it seems we’re either one or the other on a daily basis.

We at the Highways Agency aim to help drivers with their journeys by reminding them of a few simple steps they could take before they leave to make their travels easier and less stressful.

And, in the event that you do come across a situation where a road is closed for a long period of time, we aim to provide you with as much advice as possible on the road through our traffic officers, radio, phone, internet and variable message signs.

The Highways Agency suggests that by performing three simple actions, you can be much better prepared for your travels.

1. Plan your journey

Check your car, weather reports and route planning sites before setting off. It sounds like a 'no-brainer', but you'd be surprised at how many people don't. Which can lead to you getting lost, stuck in bad weather, caught in - or even causing - congestion. This could ultimately add hours onto your journey, and potentially everyone else's.

We at the Highways Agency provide a range of free real-time live traffic information services for motorways and strategic A-roads in England.

Before you go

To find out what traffic conditions are like on your route before you leave, you can use:

• Traffic England, our website which allows you to view traffic conditions on your route.
• Our traffic radio service on DAB digital radio or online, a national and regional continuous traffic information service which covers most parts of the country.
• Our automated telephone service provides you with the latest traffic information over the phone on 08700 660 115*.
• CCTV - use the website to view images from our roadside traffic cameras. These pictures allow you to see live traffic conditions for yourself, helping you plan your journey more effectively.

As you travel

To keep up-to-date with the latest traffic information when you are out and about on our roads, you can use:

• Our variable message signs. These are the large electronic signs you see above or next to the network. We use them to communicate information and advice to you about roadworks, incidents, emergencies and events on our roads. 
• Travel time variable message signs. These display real-time travel and delay times, helping to give you a realistic indication of how long your journey is likely to take.
• Traffic Radio, if you have DAB digital radio, providing you with the latest regional and national traffic information. 
• Local radio if you have an FM RDS radio, set the TA/TP (travel announcement) button to receive local traffic news from radio stations in the area which you are travelling.

Taking a break

Making sure that you've allowed time for regular breaks on long journeys is an important part of planning your journey. When you take a break you can use:

• Highways Agency Information Points at selected motorway service stations. These terminals receive up to the minute traffic information from our National Traffic Control Centre and tell you what is happening on the road ahead.
• Our automated telephone service for traffic updates on 08700 660 115*.

We also have an information line where you can report any problems you see or for any questions or comments you might have:

• Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30*

2. Get your car serviced regularly

Regularly servicing your car will reduce your chances of breaking down, which will reduce your chances of causing a hold-up, which will reduce other drivers' desire to stick their heads out of their windows and shout at you. Put simply, getting your car serviced will make for a better day for everyone.

3. Always carry an emergency kit

If you haven't got an emergency kit in your car, you're tempting fate. Anything could happen at any time that could result in you being stuck in your car for ages, from a severe weather event, to a road closure due to an accident/police investigation. You need to be prepared for any eventuality.

An emergency kit should contain a map, battery jump leads, a torch, a warning triangle, a fluorescent jacket, a first-aid kit, relevant medication, food and water (such as cereal bars and other long life snacks), warm clothes and a blanket. How about you gather it all together, pack it in bag and put it in your boot today?

These things happen

Despite all the best-laid plans, things do go wrong. Roads can be closed for all sorts of reasons including accidents, police investigations or weather related incidents.

If you do find yourself on a stretch of motorway that has been closed for a long time, the Highways Agency has a number of ways to help you. Here are some of them:

• Radio broadcasts on our own dedicated Traffic Radio station available on DAB digital radio or via the information we give to local radio stations.
• To tune into the local radio station press the TA/TP (traffic announcement) button on your radio. These sources will provide you with up to the minute and reliable traffic updates, and can help you make an informed decision on the best way forward.
• Where there are variable message signs we will aim to provide appropriate messages to help.
• Traffic Officers and Incident Support Unit operatives will be implementing contingency plans that might have been put in place. Make sure you listen to their instructions to ensure you know what to do as they're there to help you. It's important that you don't abandon your vehicle and cause further chaos once the traffic starts to move.
• It is an offence not to comply with directions from a Traffic Officer.
• And, if not driving, you could go on-line to get information from the Traffic Radio website.

Mobile Phone - Switch off before you drive off

*Calls from BT landlines to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute and to 0870 numbers no more than 8p per minute, mobile calls usually cost more. Please check with your service provider.