The study by breakdown cover provider ALA Insurance found that a significant percentage of UK motorists feel vulnerable when stranded on the roadside at night, with 38% of respondents admitting they would feel unsafe.
Over half (56%) feel unsafe in sparse rural areas and this feeling is also echoed on unlit roads (55%), highlighting concerns about isolation and visibility. Motorways also rank poorly, with 55% feeling unsafe, possibly due to the risks associated with high-speed traffic and limited access to help.
Confidence in handling a breakdown at night is mixed, with an average confidence score of just 6.2 out of 10. While 46% of drivers rate their confidence at 7 or higher, a worrying 35% score their confidence at 5 or below, signalling that many still feel unprepared for the realities of a nighttime breakdown.
Confidence varies by age, peaking in the 25-44 age group before declining in older drivers, with those 55+ reporting the lowest confidence levels (5.5-5.6).
Additional worries include being stuck all night (40%) and the fear of strangers approaching (37%), further reinforcing the need for better roadside support and emergency preparedness.
The results also expose a stark gender gap in perceived safety. Women consistently feel more vulnerable than men, particularly in rural and unlit areas. On unlit minor roads, a shocking 69% of women feel unsafe compared to 53% of men, while in sparse rural areas, 64% of women report feeling unsafe versus just 45% of men. Fear of strangers approaching is also far higher among women (45%) than men (27%), pointing to a significant safety disparity.
The survey doesn’t just reveal hypothetical fears, with one in five (20%) drivers having personally experienced danger or fear when breaking down at night.
Dawn Cranmer at ALA Insurance said, “Our research highlights the genuine concerns UK drivers have about breaking down at night. With many feeling vulnerable and unprepared, it’s clear that more needs to be done to improve roadside safety and provide reassurance for motorists.”
ALA Insurance offers the following expert advice for drivers to stay safe and feel more confident when dealing with a breakdown at night, “Breaking down at night can be a stressful and even frightening experience, but with the right preparation, drivers can feel far more secure.”
