Drivers unprepared for winter weather

Drivers are not prepared for a harsh winter, prioritising umbrellas, chewing game and carrier bags instead of safety equipment.

Research by the RAC and NFU Mutual showed that a huge 62% of car owners have broken down in their lifetime. However, only one in five car owners keep a warm blanket or warm clothes handy, putting themselves and their families at risk of hypothermia if breaking down in freezing weather.

While half of the car owners won’t set off on a journey without an umbrella, they are also much more likely to keep chewing gum and mints in their vehicle than safety items such as red reflective warning triangles, high visibility jackets or jump leads.

The research showed that women are particularly vulnerable as they are less likely than men to keep most safety items in their car.

Aleks Corr, motor insurance specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “It’s great that the majority of drivers have a rescue service in place, with a whopping 78% of UK car owners choosing to have breakdown cover. But when you scratch under the surface, drivers are unprepared for the call-out itself, which is a particular risk in the dark, cold weather and even more so if breaking down on isolated and unlit rural roads.

“While brollies might be among the essentials for daily British life, don’t forget the safety fundamentals such as a torch, blanket and a spare tyre to prepare for a breakdown. Keeping basic safety equipment in your car could spell the difference between a minor inconvenience and a traumatically freezing and potentially hazardous family event.

“While technology can be a real lifeline, don’t completely rely on it. Poor signal or a low battery may mean it lets you down when you need it most. Always keep an in-car charger handy, but also equip yourself with analogue alternatives including a road atlas and your breakdown service number written on a piece of paper. Familiarise yourself with safety tips and what to do in an incident, such as how to park safely or how to find an SOS phone on the motorway.”

According to the RAC, wheel changes are the most common cause of breakdown after battery problems. So it’s alarming to find 36% of drivers don’t have a spare tyre in their car and a further half don’t know how to change one (49%), rendering them stranded and potentially in danger in the case of a blow-out.

Road traffic accidents, engine management issues with modern computer-led vehicles and PNS (puncture, no spare) are also cited by the RAC as the main reasons for breakdowns.

NFU Mutual’s research found nearly three quarters (72%) don’t know what to do if their car overheats and only a third (36%) know what the arrows on the motorway (which lead towards an SOS phone each mile) mean. Only half (52%) of car owners know what to use a red warning triangle for and only 26% have one. Britain is the only country in the EU that does not stipulate mandatory use of warning triangles if breaking down.

At NFU Mutual, breakdown cover from RAC is included in its car insurance policy as standard.

The RAC recommends drivers remember their winter ‘FORCES’. Checking these before a journey can dramatically cut the chances of a breakdown.

F is for FUEL – Ensure you have enough fuel for your journey. Cars use more fuel in heavy traffic and start/stop conditions.

O is for OIL – To avoid engine damage and a potential breakdown, remember to check your oil level and top up when necessary.

R is for RUBBER – Check tyres have plenty of tread and are inflated properly – and don’t forget to check windscreen wiper blades are clearing screens effectively

C is for COOLANT – Make sure it’s at your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels – if not, get it checked at a reputable garage

E is for ELECTRICS – Check all your lights are working correctly including your indicators, brake lights and fog lights – and replace any faulty bulbs or blown fuses

S is for SCREENWASH – Top-up your windscreen washer fluid by using a good quality screenwash which is effective down to very cold temperatures. Remember that colder conditions demand a more concentrated solution.