Broken down driver stops for a selfie in fast lane on A14 near Kettering

Highways England cameras spotted the two cars on the A14 exit slip near Kettering

Horrified traffic camera operators watched as a driver who had broken down started walking around on an A14 slip road near Kettering and started taking SELFIES.

Highways England staff who monitor a network of CCTV cameras were powerless to do anything but tweet warnings after seeing two vehicles parked on the westbound exit slip at Junction 8.

The agency's 'jam cams' spotted both vehicles — a Fiat 500 and VW Polo — stopped in the right hand lane. But instead of seeking safety behind the barriers, the occupants went for a wander.

A Highways England spokesman said: "If you happen to break down in a live please do your best to stand behind a barrier — and not walk around in live lane taking selfies for social media."

The AA has a complete list of dos and dont's if you are unlucky enough to break down on a motorway or major A road and need to be rescued.

Their advice is to try to get off the motorway; turn on your lights and hazard lights; wait in a safe place, make yourself visible and report your breakdown.

The most important thing is to get to a safe place and call for help. Here’s what to do:

Drivers are warned to get behind the barrier if they break down on major roads

1. Try to get off the motorway

If you can, get to the next motorway exit and turn off.

If you can't, pull up onto the hard shoulder.

Make sure you stop as far to the left as you can, with the wheels turned to the left.

2. Turn on your lights

Turn on your hazard warning lights.

If it’s dark or foggy, keep your sidelights on too.

3. Wait in a safe place

It’s usually safest to get out of your car using the doors on the opposite side from passing traffic and wait behind a barrier.

Leave any animals in the car.

Move up the bank if you can.

Stay upstream of the oncoming traffic.

4. Make yourself visible

Put on a high-vis jacket if you have one

Things NOT to do:

Don’t put yourself in danger by attempting even simple repairs.

Don’t try to use a warning triangle - it’s not safe on a motorway.

Don’t take your pets out of the car as they could run out into the road.

Don’t stand next to your car while you wait, or stand between your car and oncoming traffic.

Don’t stand downstream of your car and oncoming traffic, even if you’re behind the barrier.