Emergency laybys on the M62 will be given an eyecatching makeover to make them easier to find.

The refuge areas are already in place on the 'smart motorway' stretch of the road from Rothwell to Brighouse, between junctions 25 and 30, where there is no hard shoulder.

Set back from the main carriageway, they contain an emergency phone that stranded drivers can use to contact traffic officers directly for help.

But starting in October work will take place overnight to make them more obvious for drivers to see.

Paul Unwin from Highways England said: "These redesigned emergency areas support our drive to improve awareness of smart motorway driving as part of our planned programme of work, including what to do in an emergency and when to use an emergency area."

He added that painting the areas orange would make them more visible and discourage drivers from using them when there is not an emergency.

Mr Unwin added: "Smart motorways are as safe as traditional motorways, which are already among the safest roads in the world. We recognise that as well as being safe, drivers want to feel safe and we have and will continue to make some changes to the design of motorways."

What to do if you break down on the motorway

  • Try to get away from the traffic. Exit the motorway or get to an emergency area or hard shoulder and use the free orange phone provided.
  • If that’s not possible, move left onto the verge.
  • Get out of the left side of your vehicle and behind the barrier if you can and it is safe to do so.
  • Get help – contact your breakdown provider or Highways England on 0300 123 5000. If you feel you need to, call 999.
  • If it’s not possible to exit your vehicle safely, there’s no safe place to wait, or you feel your life is in danger, put your hazard warning lights on and stay in your vehicle with your seat belt on. If you have a mobile phone, dial ‘999’ immediately.