Grinding to a halt on January 2nd?

Britannia Rescue is warning motorists to beware of breaking down on January 2nd as internal data reveals the first working day of January is statistically Britain's busiest for breakdowns.

As Brits return to their cars for the first main working day after the festive fun, statistics reveal they're two thirds more likely to have a car break down than on any other average day, putting a dampener on the start to their New Year.

If your car does break down Britannia Rescue offers the following tips.

1- If possible always try to move your car to a safe place out of the way of other traffic, but well lit.

2- Switch on the hazard lights and lift the bonnet to indicate you've broken down. If you have a hazard warning triangle place it at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road. Always be careful when doing this and do not attempt this on a motorway.

3- Never 'hitch a lift'. If you don't have a mobile, go to a local garage or nearby pay phone.

4- When you've made contact with your breakdown recovery service give as many details as possible i.e. your location, car make and registration and try to describe what the fault is.

Meanwhile, if you experience difficulties with your car when on the motorway, pull on to the hard shoulder and call for assistance.

If you don't carry a mobile phone, try to stop near one of the emergency telephones situated at one-mile intervals along the hard shoulder, as these are directly linked to the police.

A high number of fatalities occur due to vehicles hitting stationary cars on the hard shoulder - if possible and you can do so safely, leave your car (via the passenger door) and wait well away from the carriage way, not forward of the vehicle.

If staying in the car is unavoidable, slide across to the passenger seat so that other drivers will assume the driver has gone to a telephone.

02 January 2008 © Moneyextra.com

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