IIRC one of the reasons that the HATO’s can’t help with changing wheels is because of the recovery agencies lobbying against them being allowed to do so.
Madness really, get someone back on the road in 10-15mins or keep them there in danger for in excess of an hour?
Also IIRC the French Wombles are the exact opposite - they will assist to get you off the shoulder ASAP by any means necessary!
“Difficult job in dangerous circumstances” - WTF.
It’s a job a 2 year old could do. 
Rob K:
“Difficult job in dangerous circumstances” - WTF.It’s a job a 2 year old could do.
Off course it’s a dangerous job anyone who’s got a job that involves standing on the Hard shoulder at all hours in all weather does have a dangerous job. Whether it’s a worthwhile job I don’t know. But I don’t hate them.
C’mon who hasn’t, in the crappiest weather in the middle of winter seen the flashing orange lights on the hard shoulder, in the distance, Got themselves onto the outside of the lane or if its not going to cause a problem, move to lane two and as they go past the poor HATOS stood out in the rain, behind the broken down vehicle and think “what a bunch of ■■■■■ rather them than me”. The truth is we’ve been warned by people doing a dangerous and crappy job of a potential hazard in front of us, just remember, it could be our family being looked after by these “■■■■■■■
Bring em on I say, even if sometimes they do look like they are pretending to be policemen. They aren’t ■■■■■ and they aren’t heroes they are just people doing their jobs, and I’ll bet there are few mothers and children out there that are still alive, because HATO are out there doing a really really thankless job.
Now dont get me onto VOSA 
Rob K:
“Difficult job in dangerous circumstances” - WTF.It’s a job a 2 year old could do.
Little scenario just for you Rob k
This is a Highways agency led job go and sort it out! your the first to arrive emergency services are 10mins
away.
That can’t be a Hato job ,there are people walking about on the hard shoulder without foil capes ! 
Sorry 
Lighting mcqueen:
Rob K:
“Difficult job in dangerous circumstances” - WTF.It’s a job a 2 year old could do.
Little scenario just for you Rob k
This is a Highways agency led job go and sort it out! your the first to arrive emergency services are 10mins
away.
Exactly. [zb] chaos, as per usual.
It’s only chaos as one of you couldn’t stay in a straight line!! 
The Highway Man:
It’s only chaos as one of you couldn’t stay in a straight line!!
Probably had to swerve due to some idiot in a hi-viz vest stood in lane 1 doing his ‘pouring a bucket of water’ impression forcing him into lane 2 because there’s a Mini on the h/s with a n/s puncture.
Only dealing i had with them was when i had to take a 45 min break cos of heavy congestion…they pulled alongside…gave the usual spiel about no stopping there driver…even though i was on the A2 by the old garage which is 2 lanes wide before the actual carriageway…i asked them why they didnt say anything to the foreigners who stop on the hard shoulder on every motorway, and they replied that they dont understand our rules…so i told them i dont either…and closed the window…in all honestly i find that they dont have enough power…eg if a car is stranded in lane 3 or whatever…pull the ■■■■■■■ thing out of the way…their priority should be in keeping things moving…now if someones snuffed it…theres nothing anyone can do, clear up the mess…keep things moving…especially when i`m in the area…and being a pensioner now…and cannot afford the heating bills…can i please have a silver foil overcoat.
truckyboy:
Only dealing i had with them was when i had to take a 45 min break cos of heavy congestion…they pulled alongside…gave the usual spiel about no stopping there driver…even though i was on the A2 by the old garage which is 2 lanes wide before the actual carriageway…i asked them why they didnt say anything to the foreigners who stop on the hard shoulder on every motorway, and they replied that they dont understand our rules…so i told them i dont either…and closed the window….in all honestly i find that they dont have enough power…eg if a car is stranded in lane 3 or whatever…pull the [zb] thing out of the way…their priority should be in keeping things moving…now if someones snuffed it…theres nothing anyone can do, clear up the mess…keep things moving…especially when i`m in the area…and being a pensioner now…and cannot afford the heating bills…can i please have a silver foil overcoat.
■■■■■■■ brilliant!
Rob K:
truckyboy:
Only dealing i had with them was when i had to take a 45 min break cos of heavy congestion…they pulled alongside…gave the usual spiel about no stopping there driver…even though i was on the A2 by the old garage which is 2 lanes wide before the actual carriageway…i asked them why they didnt say anything to the foreigners who stop on the hard shoulder on every motorway, and they replied that they dont understand our rules…so i told them i dont either…and closed the window….in all honestly i find that they dont have enough power…eg if a car is stranded in lane 3 or whatever…pull the [zb] thing out of the way…their priority should be in keeping things moving…now if someones snuffed it…theres nothing anyone can do, clear up the mess…keep things moving…especially when i`m in the area…and being a pensioner now…and cannot afford the heating bills…can i please have a silver foil overcoat.
[zb] brilliant!
He already has a fancy coat, send me one instead
What’s with hatos changing wheels or not doing so if a car driver isn’t able to change their own they shouldn’t be on the road.
You’d be very surprised at the amount of able bodied drivers who wont change a tyre and call for recovery as they don’t want to get their hands dirty! All we get is, “that’s what I pay recovery for!”
The Highway Man:
You’d be very surprised at the amount of able bodied drivers who wont change a tyre and call for recovery as they don’t want to get their hands dirty! All we get is, “that’s what I pay recovery for!”
Seriously? Thats why I keep gloves in the boot. I’d much rather change a wheel and be on my way. Although if it was an o/s one I would be mighty grateful to have that HATO vehicle sat behind me warning oncoming traffic while I did it.
The issue is not changing the wheel it the legality issues! For instance the torque settings for the wheel nuts/bolts, we do not carry tools to do that we carry cones and signs to alert motorist of obstructions. Traffic management and co ordinate the emergency services as to what is required at larger incident scenes that is what keeps everyone safe and that is why we are so visible.
Can anyone clarify the rules about when vosa dont allow a driver to torque his/her wheel nuts,after being stopped for lose ones,i heard it is health and safety,and the driver may crack the nuts,and a tyre fitter has to be called to make safe.
In Europe on a motorway,you get moved and towed straight away,no choice in the tow firm,the cost is fixed,treble the amount for public holidays and at night time,day rate is a several hundred euros.
Lighting mcqueen:
The issue is not changing the wheel it the legality issues! For instance the torque settings for the wheel nuts/bolts, we do not carry tools to do that we carry cones and signs to alert motorist of obstructions. Traffic management and co ordinate the emergency services as to what is required at larger incident scenes that is what keeps everyone safe and that is why we are so visible.
So by your above statement you are saying that all the major car manufacturers are culpable by supplying tools, a jack and a spare wheel in the load compartment. There are no health and safety issues in changing a wheel, the cars manual has full idiot proof instructions, it doesn’t say call a garage, or this must not be carried out by the roadside.
Many trucks do not carry a spare wheel or a jack simply to give more payload or prevent theft
Almost daily traffic sally on radio 2 mentions that a load has fallen off at some place in the uk,what is going on,is that Batista again?
Bring back Mr Angry from the Steve Wright show,the guy was mad,calling and so angry he had to throw the phone down,comic genius from the past.
Lighting mcqueen:
So by your above statement you are saying that all the major car manufacturers are culpable by supplying tools, a jack and a spare wheel in the load compartment. There are no health and safety issues in changing a wheel, the cars manual has full idiot proof instructions, it doesn’t say call a garage, or this must not be carried out by the roadside.Many trucks do not carry a spare wheel or a jack simply to give more payload or prevent theft
What does this have to do with the hato their sole responsibility should be to help the traffic flow. If someone is in unwilling or unable to change a tyre they should be adviced on the safety implications of waiting on the hard shoulder for recovery and left to it.