New campaign launched to reduce Christmas breakdowns
A new campaign has been launched to help drivers reduce the risk of Christmas breakdowns.
Launched by National Highways and Halfords, T.R.I.P. encourages drivers to carry out essential vehicle checks before setting off on long journeys, plan rest stops, and monitor the weather and road conditions.
This comes after research revealed that breakdown numbers in winter have risen by 21% in the last five years, with more than 23,300 incidents recorded last December alone.
Meanwhile, a survey by National Highways and Halfords found that 26% of drivers don’t check the traffic before they travel while 25% don’t check the weather or roadworks on their route. Furthermore, only 19% have spare screen wash and 13% have spare oil, with nearly a quarter (23%) admitting they would remove maintenance essentials from their cars to make room for luggage or Christmas presents.
T.R.I.P. checklist
Colin Stevenson, road safety lead at National Highways, said: “Christmas is all about spending time with family and friends, not being stuck on the hard shoulder. It’s already a busy time of year, and the last thing anyone needs is the added stress of a breakdown or unexpected delay.
“That’s why we’re encouraging drivers to take a few minutes to prepare before every journey. By following our simple T.R.I.P. checklist – Top-up, Rest, Inspect, Prepare – you can reduce the risk of disruption and help ensure a smoother, safer trip this festive season.”
- Top-up: Check essential fluids like oil, fuel, screen wash, and coolant.
- Rest: Take breaks every two hours to stay alert and avoid fatigue.
- Inspect: Check tyres, lights, and wipers before setting off.
- Prepare: Check the forecast and use a route planner to map your trip and check for any traffic updates or delays
