One in five have personally felt fear or danger after breaking down, with women disproportionately affected by safety concerns on rural and unlit roads.
New data has revealed a hidden anxiety among UK drivers: breaking down after dark.
According to a new study by breakdown cover provider ALA Insurance, 38% of UK motorists say they feel unsafe when stranded at night, with concerns about isolation, poor visibility, and the fear of strangers fuelling unease on roads up and down the country.
The research shows that motorways, unlit roads, and rural areas top the list of places drivers dread breaking down the most – with more than half of drivers (55–56%) reporting they’d feel unsafe in these locations due to the lack of lighting, high-speed traffic, and sparse surroundings.
And it’s not just hypothetical fears: one in five drivers (20%) say they’ve actually experienced fear or danger during a nighttime breakdown, with top worries including:
-
Being stranded alone (52%)
-
Poor visibility (49%)
-
Lack of phone signal or help nearby (47%)
-
Fear of being stuck all night (40%)
-
Strangers approaching (37%)
The data also shines a light on a concerning gender divide when it comes to feeling safe at night on UK roads.
-
On unlit minor roads, 69% of women say they feel unsafe compared to 53% of men.
-
In rural areas, the gap persists: 64% of women vs 45% of men.
-
When it comes to fear of strangers, the difference is stark – 45% of women are concerned, compared to just 27% of men.
Dawn Cranmer at ALA Insurance said, “This research reveals just how vulnerable many UK drivers feel, especially women, when facing a breakdown at night. With so many reporting fear and isolation, it’s clear we need improved safety measures and better awareness around roadside support.”
