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Motorway Tyre Changing: Regulatory & Traffic Safety Guidance Resource Released

Motorway breakdowns across England reached 282,949 incidents in 2024 alone - a 60% uptick since 2020, data shows. In response, AutoPump has released a new resource addressing this escalating crisis with a particular emphasis on tyre-related emergencies - providing integrated advice covering the legality, safety protocols, and best practices for managing tyre disasters on motorways. For more information, visit https://www.ordiniq.com/blogs/news/can-you-change-a-tyre-on-the-motorway-legal-advice-road-safety-tips The resource comes as smart motorways, comprising just 20% of England's network according to National Highways, account for more than half of all breakdowns. Many such motorways lack hard shoulders, putting drivers who encounter punctures in a state of heightened vulnerability. As such, motorists are increasingly unprepared for the contingency of an emergency - which amplifies the need for clear decision-making frameworks as they pertain to roadside incidents. AutoPump's guidance arrives in direct response. The document stresses that whilst changing tyres on motorways is technically legal, safety considerations come first. The resource outlines a tiered response protocol accordingly: drivers should pull over safely where possible, activate hazard lights immediately, wear high-visibility vests, avoid standing near live traffic lanes, and exit vehicles from the passenger side away from moving traffic. AutoPump also clarifies that specific high-risk scenarios warrant professional intervention instead of DIY attempts. Aside from aforementioned smart highways, heavy traffic conditions, poor visibility caused by fog or darkness, damaged wheel rims, and driver uncertainty all constitute situations where roadside assistance is the safer choice, says AutoPump. Yet preventative measures with modern equipment can reduce the likelihood of emergency situations altogether. To such ends, the guidance notes that regular tyre pressure checks help identify underinflated tyres long before failure. Meanwhile, portable inflators provide a convenient, readily available alternative to potentially unreliable petrol station equipment. The document also describes pressure monitoring caps that enable early detection of slow leaks - giving motorists an indication that their tyres are unfit for the road ahead of time. These devices are all available as part of AutoPump’s product range, headlined by its popular automatic tyre inflation innovation. By combining expert education on when (and how) to act with practical tools such as repair kits and portable pumps, then, the resource equips UK drivers with the knowledge and confidence needed to appropriately manage motorway tyre emergencies. Interested parties can access the full guidance resource together with AutoPump's emergency preparedness products at https://www.ordiniq.com/