What best-selling booklet applies to the whole of England, Scotland and Wales and, according to the Government, is ‘essential reading’ for everyone?

The answer is simply The Highway Code. Yet, truthfully, when did you last even glance at it?

The fact is many of its rules reflect laws that everyone needs to be aware of. But according to a new motoring survey by breakdown service Autonational Rescue, most motorists haven’t read the Code for many years.

The survey, undertaken by YouGov, asked motorists when they had last read anything at all from the Highway Code?

In total, half said they hadn’t read anything from the Highway Code for more than five years. And in detail, the figures speak for themselves: • nine per cent simply couldn’t recall when they last read the Code; • eight per cent said it was more than 30 years ago; • 11 per cent said it was between 20 and 30 years ago; • 17 per cent between 10 and 20 years ago; • 14 per cent between five and 10 years ago; • 23 per cent said they last read the Code between one and five years ago; • 10 per cent said it was between six months and a year, and finally; • eight per cent within the last six months.

Autonational Rescue’s marketing manager Ronan Hart, said: “Many motorists believe their driving experience more than makes up for not knowing what’s in the Highway Code.

“But if you disobey many of its rules, either deliberately or by not being aware of them, you’ll be committing a criminal offence and can be fined, given penalty points or disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you could even be sent to prison.

He added: “It’s really a question of common sense, but the booklet should not be allowed to just gather dust on your shelves.

“Sitting down once in a while and refreshing your memory about what’s in the Highway Code is good practice and I guarantee you will find some surprises in there of rules of the road that you just weren’t aware of.”

Here’s what The Code says about breakdowns: If your vehicle breaks down, think first other road users and • get your vehicle off the road if possible; • warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights; • wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility; • put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147ft) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. • always take great care when placing or retrieving warning devices, but never use them on motorways; • if possible, keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor • do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic • at night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights.

Today more than a million copies are sold each year in its printed version, carrying a recommended retail price of £2.50. But you can even save on that cost now as the Code’s latest edition can be viewed freely online at www.gov.uk/highway-code.