On this page
- How do you stop safely on the motorway?
- Where should you wait once you have stopped?
- Who should you call first on the motorway?
- Can you change a wheel on the hard shoulder?
- What is different on Milan's ring roads?
- What should you do once you are off the motorway?
- Puncture on a motorway or ring road around Milan: call us and we will assess it
- Frequently asked questions
How do you stop safely on the motorway?
To stop safely, slow down gradually without braking hard, switch on your hazard lights and pull onto the hard shoulder or, better still, into a lay-by. Pull over as far to the right as possible.
If the tyre is completely flat, do not try to reach the exit: driving a long way on a flat ruins the tyre and the wheel and makes you lose stability. The guide can you drive on a flat tyre explains why.
Where should you wait once you have stopped?
Once you have stopped, wait outside the car, behind the crash barrier, away from the carriageway. Staying in the car on the hard shoulder is risky in case of a rear-end collision.
- put on the high-visibility vest before getting out;
- get out, and get your passengers out, on the right-hand side, away from the traffic;
- place the warning triangle only if you can do so safely, walking along the edge;
- climb over the crash barrier and move away from the vehicle;
- never cross the carriageway.
The full rules on warning triangles and vests are in the guide on how to get safe after a puncture.
Who should you call first on the motorway?
Think about safety first: if there is immediate danger, for example a vehicle in an exposed position or people involved, call 112. For help with the vehicle, use the road operator's emergency channels, such as the SOS call points where available or the numbers given by the concessionaire.
On motorways and some expressways, vehicle recovery may be organised by the operator using authorised providers. That is why it is important to follow their instructions.
Can you change a wheel on the hard shoulder?
Changing a wheel on the hard shoulder is not advisable, especially if the punctured wheel is on the traffic side. Vehicles pass just a few metres away at high speed.
If the flat tyre is on the right-hand side, away from the traffic, and you are in a wide, clearly visible lay-by, the risk is lower, but it is still a decision to weigh up with great care. If in doubt, wait for help behind the crash barrier.
What is different on Milan's ring roads?
Milan's ring roads (tangenziali) carry heavy traffic and often have narrow hard shoulders, or none at all on some stretches: the same rules as on the motorway apply. If there is no hard shoulder, make for the nearest lay-by or junction only if you can do so at a moderate speed and safely.
On these roads the priority remains getting people to safety and using the operator's emergency channels, or 112 if there is danger.
What should you do once you are off the motorway?
Once you are off the motorway or ring road, stop somewhere safe such as a car park or a service area and have the tyre checked. If you have fitted the space-saver, stick to the speed shown on it; if you have used the repair kit, follow the kit's instructions.
At this point a mobile tyre fitter can reach you for an on-the-spot repair or a wheel change.
Puncture on a motorway or ring road around Milan: call us and we will assess it
For punctures on motorways and ring roads in the Milan area, call us and we will assess the situation together: we will tell you straight away whether we can come out to that stretch of road or how to proceed. Away from these roads, SOS Tyre comes out immediately, 24/7, across Milan and its province. Call +39 377 326 0999 or use the request for assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay in the car on the hard shoulder?
It is not advisable. In a rear-end collision, anyone still in the car is exposed to serious risk. The safest choice is to get out on the side away from the traffic wearing your high-visibility vest and wait behind the crash barrier, away from the vehicle, together with all your passengers.
Is the high-visibility vest compulsory on the motorway?
In Italy, yes, when you get out of the vehicle outside built-up areas at night or in poor visibility, on the carriageway or in lay-bys (Article 162 of the Italian Highway Code). On the motorway it is always advisable to wear it anyway, even in daylight, before opening the door.
Do I have to put out the warning triangle on the motorway?
Under Italian rules, the warning triangle must be placed at least 50 metres behind the vehicle, so that it is visible from at least 100 metres away to oncoming traffic. On the motorway, place it only if you can do so walking safely along the edge with your vest on; otherwise the priority is getting behind the crash barrier.
Can I use the repair kit on the hard shoulder?
Using the kit means staying next to the wheel for several minutes, so the same precautions as for a wheel change apply: it is not advisable if the wheel is on the traffic side. On top of that, the kit only works on small holes in the tread, not on cuts or shoulder damage.