Handling a Breakdown: Be Prepared

It is estimated that there are over 24 million cars registered in the UK. But it is unfortunate that many of these vehicles are prone to breakdowns, which causes Britain’s population many headaches throughout the year. In fact, it is estimated that the UK’s breakdown services are called out by motorists up to 20,000 times every day.

With such a high proportion of the population having the ability to drive, any disruption can have a huge and wide effect, and unfortunately, there are various causes of said breakdowns. Cold weather can affect the starting of a vehicle, a battery can go flat over several days and an engine can overheat in slow-moving traffic. In addition, there can be problems with the clutch, or any part of the engine itself, to name but a few. Add to these external factors such as the vehicles’ wheels and breaking system, and there are many ways to disrupt a journey.

It is important, therefore, that motorists take care to protect themselves from such problems. A lack of maintenance or understanding of a vehicle’s parts is often the main cause behind most issues, so drivers should always take action to remedy this. However, it is important that complex maintenance of any kind should only ever be undertaken by a professional.

A few more simple solutions include: ensuring a vehicle is serviced when it should be, checking all warning lights — internally and externally — are in full working condition, and maintaining a working set of tools in the event of a flat tyre. It is also important to make sure that your existing tyres are both fully inflated and road-worthy.

As well as doing their best to avoid such an event, it is also important that motorists are prepared for a breakdown when they happen. Therefore, drivers should always carry some form of communication device; including the phone numbers of rescue services, and friends and family. It may be that rescue services will take some time to locate a breakdown, so it can prove important to travel with a set of warm clothes available, in the event of having to wait several hours. It may also be a good idea to prepare in advance and take food and water on the longer journeys.

But, however careful or vigilant drivers are, there are inevitably unforeseen problems that can occur, so it is a good idea to have some failsafe coverage such as car breakdown insurance cover. Of course, planning a journey cannot always avoid a breakdown, but can help to limit such risks, and ensure that drivers get to where they want in the most efficient way possible.
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Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.