Are you prepared for the busiest day to breakdown?

December 27th 2007 and January 2nd 2008 are predicted by leading bespoke road side assistance company, Mondial Assistance, to be the busiest days for calls for roadside assistance. Indeed, calls are expected to increase by 75% on these two days as everyone returns to work after the Christmas break only to find their neglected vehicles won’t start or breakdown mid-journey. Mondial warns that motorists who fail to plan ahead are more likely to break down, be left stranded or be involved in an accident. Taking simple measures will help ensure you and your vehicle get through Christmas and the winter months unscathed.

Simon Cook, Automotive Director at Mondial Assistance says, “The highest number of call outs are generally to customer’s homes. Even if you aren’t using your car over the Christmas break, try and start it a few times and take it for a short drive. If you haven’t got roadside assistance cover, just in case, try and plan an alternative route to work using public transport.”

Many motorists self inflict damage on their cars during the winter months. By pouring hot water from a kettle onto a frozen windscreen, motorists risk shattering the whole thing. Also, side windows should be scraped carefully and should not simply be wound down if they are frosted, as this can damage the vehicle electrics.

“It’s not just down to the individual’s car either,” continues Cook. “Sadly other incidents such as road traffic accidents and freak storms often catch motorists unawares, but they need to get into the habit of good car maintenance. Something as simple as a torch and a blanket can be invaluable in an emergency situation, but more motorists think of a bag of boiled sweets for the journey before they consider something as essential as a first aid kit and a shovel. We advise all motorists to ensure they have a reliable roadside assistance provider – it could be a lifeline out on the road on a cold winter night.”

Mondial urges motorists to act now to ensure they can survive the cold season. Winter driving doesn’t need to be risky – a little preparation and good breakdown cover means drivers are safe in the knowledge they won’t get left out in the cold this Christmas.