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uk Transport & mobility emergencies windscreen wipers stopped • wipers not working in rain • wipers failed in storm • wiper motor failure • wiper fuse blown • wipers stopped suddenly • wipers stuck on windscreen • pulled over in bad weather • pulled over in heavy rain • pulled over in snow • visibility gone while driving • can’t see through windscreen • stranded on roadside rain • stopped on hard shoulder • motorway emergency area stop • emergency refuge area stop • car electrics failed wipers • washer jets not working too • demister on but fogging • what to do now wipers

What to do if…
your windscreen wipers stop working and you have pulled over in bad weather

Short answer

Stay stopped somewhere safe and visible, and don’t drive again until you can see clearly through the windscreen. Put your hazard warning lights on while you’re stationary and get help if you’re in a risky location.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t set off “just to get home” if rain/spray is still reducing your view — this is how crashes happen.
  • Don’t stand between your car and moving traffic to look at the wipers (especially in rain/dark).
  • Don’t attempt repairs at the roadside on a motorway if it puts you outside the vehicle near live traffic.
  • Don’t put a warning triangle on a motorway.
  • Don’t stop under a bridge or on a bend where other drivers can’t see you until the last second.
  • Don’t leave the carriageway to reach help — use an emergency roadside telephone/SOS phone where provided.

What to do now

  1. Make the stop safer (first 30 seconds).
    • Keep your seatbelt on.
    • Switch on hazard warning lights (and side lights if visibility is poor).
    • If you can do it without re-entering danger, relocate to a safer place (services, a car park, a lay-by, or the next exit is usually safer than a verge).
  2. If you’re on a motorway or smart motorway, use the official help route.
    • If you’re in an emergency area (sometimes called an emergency refuge area), use the emergency telephone/SOS phone provided and follow the operator’s instructions (they may arrange a lane closure for you to rejoin safely).
    • If you’re on the hard shoulder and there is an emergency roadside telephone nearby, use it if you can reach it without putting yourself in danger. If you can’t, use your mobile.
  3. Choose the safest option: stay in the car, or get behind a barrier.
    • If you are in a live lane, or if exiting would put you close to fast traffic/heavy spray, stay in the car, seatbelt on, hazards on, and call 999.
    • If you’re on the hard shoulder/emergency area and it is clearly safer to get out, exit by the left-side doors and wait well away from traffic, ideally behind a safety barrier if there is one. Keep children under close control.
  4. Get the right help moving.
    • If you feel in immediate danger where you are (poor visibility, near traffic, or you’re stranded in a live lane), call 999.
    • Otherwise, contact your breakdown provider. If you need motorway advice/assistance and it’s appropriate for your situation, you can also contact National Highways (for England’s motorways and major A-roads).
    • Give your exact location: road name/number, direction of travel, nearest junction, and any marker signs you can see.
  5. Wait in a way that keeps you visible and reduces risk.
    • Keep hazards on; keep your phone charged.
    • If you have a high-vis item and it’s safe to use it, put it on before opening the door.

What can wait

  • You do not need to diagnose the exact fault (motor vs fuse vs linkage) right now.
  • You do not need to decide about repairs, costs, or which garage you’ll use while you’re still stressed and weather is bad.
  • You can sort out insurance/claims later (if anything was damaged).

Important reassurance

This is a common kind of sudden failure, and pulling over was the right move. Your only job right now is to stay visible, avoid exposure to moving traffic, and not restart driving until you can see properly again.

Scope note

These are first steps for the next minutes to hour. Once you’re safe and recovered, a mechanic can check fuses, the wiper motor/linkage, and controls properly.

Important note

This is general safety information, not legal or mechanical advice for your specific vehicle. If you feel in immediate danger where you’ve stopped, prioritise getting emergency help.

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