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Motorists without breakdown cover call on family or friends

19th November 2009 Print

Over two thirds (67 per cent) of all motorists without breakdown cover would call a relative or friend to rescue them (54 per cent) or try to fix their own car on the hard shoulder (13 per cent) if they broke down on a motorway - putting all involved into terrible danger - according to a new ‘Motorway Madness' poll by esure car insurance.

Calling a relative or friend - who themselves will need to pull over onto the hard shoulder and attempt to fix the problem inches from cars travelling at 70mph without the aid of specialist hazard lighting, hi-visibility clothing and professional equipment - could prove a fatal false economy.  In fact, death and injury caused by accidents on motorway hard shoulders leapt up by almost a fifth in a year.

The poll also revealed that on top of the 13 per cent of such drivers who would try to fix the car themselves on the hard shoulder a further four per cent would actually try to walk along the motorway to the nearest garage for help.

Worryingly, a third of all drivers (32 per cent) would remain in their car if it broke down on a motorway instead of immediately getting out via the passenger door and staying well behind safety barriers on a verge to protect themselves and their families.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance, said: "Breakdown cover is a very small price to pay for a service that can protect a motorist and their family when they are at their most vulnerable.  Anyone who calls friends and relatives to rescue them on a motorway is potentially putting three or four people's lives into terrible danger.  The motorway is not the place for DIY.  Call the experts."

Five Motorway Breakdown Tips from esure

Check your car before you start any journey that involves a motorway - oil, petrol and tyres are the main sources of problems.

Keep warm clothes and/or foil ‘space blankets' plus umbrellas and high visibility tabards in the car. 

They will protect you if you need to wait on a bank alongside a cold motorway.

If you believe your car has a mechanical problem on the motorway, pull over onto the hard shoulder before you begin slowing down.  Never slow down in a motorway lane then pull over.

As soon as you are on the hard shoulder put your hazard warning lights on and leave them on until you rejoin the motorway.

You are more likely to be hit by another vehicle than fall victim to a personal attack beside a motorway so get out of your car via the passenger door and stay well behind the barriers while awaiting professional help.  Only re-enter your car if you feel threatened by another driver who has stopped.

Other than a fatal false economy, not buying breakdown cover until you're at the roadside in need of help could cost you financially too.  A lump sum payment of almost £200 would be charged by the likes of the RAC and the AA for assistance with the AA charging £192 (plus £1 per mile for over 50 miles) to help with a long distance recovery.

Buying breakdown cover with your car insurance can be a cost-effective way to ensure peace of mind whilst on any length of journey.  esure customers can add breakdown cover to their car insurance policy for as little as £36.75.