Less than a quarter of drivers (24%) would know what to do if their car broke down, a new study has found.
The findings follow new research from Motorpoint, who surveyed UK motorists to learn more about how prepared they would be to deal with a breakdown and complete basic repairs to help get themselves moving again.
According to the research, just one in five motorists (18%) said they felt prepared in the event of a breakdown with less than half (46%) reporting having breakdown cover. Despite this clear lack of preparation around what to do, almost two-thirds of car owners (64%) didn’t feel it was important to know what to do if they experienced an issue when out driving.
Discussing the findings, Tim Rodie, driving expert at Motorpoint, said: “It’s important for every motorist to be prepared in the event of a breakdown and know how to act in a way that will keep them and other road users safe. While often motorists will have no control over how and where their car breaks down, making sure that you keep on top of car maintenance jobs, not running your fuel tank right down and keep up with your servicing schedule, will all limit the chances of experiencing issues when out driving.”
As part of the research, Motorpoint found that one in five motorists (18%) kept a breakdown kit in their car in case of emergencies and just a third of car owners (34%) would know what items to include. As Tim explains, “While it’s rare that drivers would set off without their phone to hand, there are some other essential items you should keep in your car, particularly when driving during the colder months. Hopefully you’ll never need to use these items but, should you ever breakdown, you’ll be relieved to have them to hand.
“First off, a head torch is useful should you need to change a wheel or inspect your engine – plus, it makes you more obvious to other road users. Just make sure to keep it pointed at the ground and never shine it directly at oncoming traffic.
“The temperature drops quickly when it’s dark, so it’s a good idea to keep a blanket and winter coat in the boot of your car. If you tend to wear dark clothing, I suggest keeping a hi-vis jacket in your car to make it as easy as possible for other road users to spot you – especially if you were to breakdown on an unlit road.
“It’s also a good idea to keep some non-perishable snacks and water bottles in your car, should you be waiting a while for your car to be recovered.”
