60,000 breakdowns expected this Easter weekend

As families across the country gear up for Easter Bank Holiday trips, they may find themselves spending it on the roadside if they don’t prepare properly, new data by national breakdown cover provider Green Flag reveals.

A staggering 60,000 breakdowns are expected to cause havoc for drivers with five breakdowns every 30 seconds expected to take place on Britain’s roads. Over 12,000 battery breakdowns are expected to occur along with 6,000 tyre-related and 2,000 clutch-related issues causing delays and disruptions.

Green Flag is encouraging people to watch out for the preventable mishaps such as locking keys in their cars or misfueling their tank. Every hour 14 drivers will lock their keys in their car and 13 drivers will fill their tank with the wrong fuel.

Green Flag hopes the data will encourage people to check their cars before they travel to give families the best chance of getting to their Easter egg hunts on time.

Nick Reid, head of automotive technology at Green Flag, commented: “It’s Easter and the last thing families want to worry about is their car breaking down when there are Easter eggs to be eaten!

“The roads will be extremely busy, so it’s no wonder that a high number of breakdowns are predicted to take place, however, the majority of these breakdowns are avoidable.

“We’re expecting over 5,000 more flat or faulty battery-related breakdowns this Easter, so we’re urging people to ensure their car has been fully checked before hitting the road.”

In order to give Brits travelling over the Easter bank holiday the best chance of getting to their destination no matter what, Green Flag has also prepared some hints and tips on how to avoid and prepare for breakdowns before you set off on the road:

1. Walk around the car and look for any signs of potential trouble, especially tyres and lights
2. Check tyre pressures, and that you have a spare included
3. Check all fluid levels and top up if necessary
4. Make sure you have breakdown cover. If you’re travelling abroad make sure your cover extends to your trip away. If it doesn’t, you may need to arrange separate cover
5. Keep a road map in the car so you’ll be able to explain where you are when you call for help. Don’t rely on the map on your phone – you won’t always have signal
6. Keep some coins or a phone card in the car in case you need to call for help and there’s no mobile phone signal
7. Make sure your phone battery is topped up – think about buying an in-car charger just in case you need it
8. Have the number for your emergency breakdown provider handy – you’ll usually find it on your policy certificate so you could keep this in the glove box
9. Carry a red warning triangle at all times

• Categories:
• Advice

By James Ash

Content Marketing Executive at Motors.co.uk

April 10, 2017