The August bank holiday offers us one last hurrah before the school term time starts, which means the UK’s road network is likely to be jam packed.
Although it’s tempting just to jump in the car and set off for the shores or the hills, it is vital you make a few key preparations just in case your car gives up the ghost mid-trip.
And what if you find yourself stuck on the roadside in the middle of nowhere, or stranded on the hard shoulder of a busy motorway?
National recovery service Start Rescue receives thousands of calls over bank holiday weekends. Although its job is to come to the rescue of those in need, it says there are plenty of ways to make sure you do all you can to avoid a breakdown and, should the worst happen, keep you and your loved ones safe until help arrives.
What to pack and how to pack
Of course you’ll need enough food and water to see you through. This summer has been particularly hot so the need to hydrate is vital if you are stuck out on an exposed roadside. You don’t need a massive hamper but make sure you have plenty of snacks to keep you going.
Pack food and water in a separate bag and ensure items such as toys or tablets are easy to locate – you don’t want to be scrabbling around at the back while the car is moving.
Ensure you have a first aid kit that you can access easily, and that you pack a hi-visibility vest, which will be vital if you find yourself stranded at night-time.
Try not to pack your car to the absolute max so it obscures your rear view. Although it is not illegal, stacking up luggage that blocks out the view from the rear window compromises safety. If the boot is full put lighter items at the top so that if you do brake heavily, they will not cause serious injury. Also, adjust your door mirrors inwards so they allow you to see behind the car a little better.
If you have a roof box or cycle rack, make sure they are all secured correctly.
Pre-journey checks
According to stats from National Highways it is the obvious stuff that get us into trouble. It says most breakdowns are avoidable: around 40,000 breakdowns were recorded as due to tyre issues in the year from June 2019 to May 2020, while more than 6,000 people simply ran out of fuel.
Sounds simple but check you have enough fuel, and for those driving electric vehicles ensure you have enough charge to either complete your journey or are able to plan where you can top up.
Check your tyre pressures, which are detailed in the vehicle’s handbook or on the pillar of the driver’s door. Look out for bald patches or any tyre wall damage such as cuts, bulges or nails that could have punctured the tyre wall. Don’t travel with tyres that have excessive wear: as a minimum, each tyre must have 1.6mm of tread across the entire tyre.
Also check brake and clutch fluids are topped up, that your oil levels are correct, engine coolant is sufficient, and your windscreen wiper blades are in good condition. Don’t forget to top up the windscreen washer tank.
It’s also worth checking your headlights and brake lights are working correctly, and don’t ignore dashboard warning lights. Check the vehicle’s manual to establish what the issue is and abandon the trip if it cannot be resolved.
Plan your trip and, if possible, aim to travel at quieter times, which are usually the afternoon and evening of Fridays, and mid-morning to mid-afternoon on Sunday and Monday. Lastly, make sure you have the details of your breakdown recovery provider with you.
So, you have packed and done all the necessary checks, but halfway through the journey your car starts to splutter to a halt. It is imperative to stay calm and get your vehicle into a safe place. If you are on a motorway, see if you can nurse the car to the next exit but if you can’t, pull up on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as you can, with the wheels turned to the left.
Turn on the hazard lights, and if it’s dark or foggy keep your sidelights on, too.
Once your car has come to a stop, get out using the nearside doors and wait behind the barrier. Take your mobile phone, clothing, food, drink and medication with you. If you can, move up the bank to a position behind the car, but leave animals in the car.
Call your roadside assistance provider, but do not attempt to repair the car, or replace the tyre in the event of a puncture. If you do not have a mobile phone or you have no signal, then walk to the nearest emergency phone box.
If you have packed your hi-visibility jacket put it on so that the roadside recovery agent can easily identify you.
If you are unfortunate enough to break down in the middle of carriageway or on a live lane of a smart motorway, immediately turn on your hazard lights. If you can’t get over to the left-hand lane, stay in the car, leave your seat belt on and call 999. See the National Highways Go Left campaign for more details
If you find yourself stranded on a busy A-road the guidance is similar to that on a motorway, in that you should try to find the safest place to stop and stay as far as you can to the left. Put on your hazard warning lights and if it’s dark leave the sidelights on.
If you have a hi-visibility vest, put it on before you leave the car and wait somewhere safe. If you are on a quieter road, it is perfectly acceptable to stay in your car but on busy roads and dual carriageways it will be safer to wait somewhere away from the traffic. Again, call your breakdown recovery provider and ensure you have all your food, drink and necessary medication to hand.
National Highways Head of Road Safety, Jeremy Phillips, said: “We know that breaking down can be a very upsetting experience, nobody wants to start off their holiday stranded at the side of the road, next to fast moving traffic. That’s why we are reminding drivers to check their vehicles before setting off over the Bank Holiday weekend, particularly the tyres.
“Unsafe tyres put you and others at risk as well increasing your chances of attracting a hefty fine and penalty points. A simple check on tyre tread and pressure could prevent a breakdown and help make sure you get to your destination safe and well.”
Start Rescue’s Managing Director, Lee Puffett, said: “The August bank holiday weekend is a golden opportunity for a bit of a relaxation before the school summer term starts, but it is vital you make all the necessary checks on your vehicle, that you plan your journey and refamiliarise yourself with the Highway Code concerning breakdowns on motorways and A roads in particular.
“If you are unlucky enough to break down, this information will be fresh in your mind to ensure you take all the steps to make sure you are safe. The worst thing you can do is panic, particularly when traffic is rushing past your stricken vehicle. It’s important to stay calm while help is on its way.”
