Motorway roadworks and "free recovery" signs

[Bigorangenecklace]

I was just wondering today about this. On motorway roadworks, you usually see signs that say "free recovery-await assistance" or something similar to that.

So if you break down, do you just sit at the side and wait? How often do trucks patrol the area? Or do they spot you on the cameras? How do you know if someone is coming?

And when someone does arrive, how do you know it's an official recovery person, and not some dodgy bloke in a truck with evil intentions?

I believe that you stay I your car for safety and they will just tow you off the road, so they can re open ASAP. Presume they leave you somewhere and you have to make your own arrangements for onward recovery. It's s very sensible idea. The road is on CCTV so they know what's happening.

Its one of the rare good things about all those cameras everywhere. They actively look for broken down people.

Has anyone actually had to use this service? I don't know why I'm so interested, it was just a thought that popped into my head as I was driving past a sign yesterday.

They usually have cameras to monitor roadworks with free recovery.

I had to use it once, my car just cut out on the m60. I managed to roll it mostly into a safe place, put my hazards on and climbed out the passenger side to stand off the road . Van showed up in minutes, and towed my car off the motorway. They only recover you to a safe place, usually the nearest petrol station or services.

I have always wondered this too! You really do learn something new everyday!

They employ specific recovery companies to sit somewhere nearby and wait in case.

The OP makes an interesting point about how you know the truck that turns up is genuine.

I wonder if any thieves have considered whether they could arrive before the official recovery and steal your car. It would be quite nasty if they hooked up your car and then used some ruse ("could I just ask you to walk to the back of the car and check the hazard lights are operating?") leaving you standing on the motorway while they drive off.

I guess there's too much chance of being caught (plus the car you steal, by definition, isn't working).

Ooh I've always wondered this too.

Cameras and speed.
If your blocking the road how could a rouge recovery truck get to you?

Official truck is likely to drive the wrong way to get to you.
That's my assumption on how it works.

I had a tyre blow driving over the Manchester ship canal. Free recovery because there is no hard shoulder
I rang 999 and they found me on a camera. A truck came quickly to just park behind and then a breakdown truck towed me to the nearest service station.
The guy was lovely. He was about to finish his shift but he stayed and changed my wheel for me. I was camping so the whole boot had to he emptied
I did give him a tip

Thanks, this is really interesting. (No idea why I seem to be interested in such a banal subject. )

I broke down on roadworks on the m25. Tow truck came within minutes and towed me off the roadworks into a lay by where I then had to make arrangements to get recovered. The two irish guys were living in a caravan at the side of the motorway and they were just there for recovery purposes. Made me a lovely plate of chips and a strong mug of tea while I waited for the AA