Over 80 thousand breakdowns predicted this weekend, Green Flag urges motorists to stay safe as first winter snow is set to arrive

• 81,571 breakdowns expected to take place from Friday 13th –Sunday 15th January 2017
• 19 breakdowns per minute predicted

• Green Flag urges drivers only to venture out if essential and to be extra prepared if they do have to travel
• Green Flag’s new diagnostic technology, Green Flag Alert Me, is set to prevent breakdowns on the road  

National breakdown cover provider Green Flag expects over 80,000 breakdowns to take place on British roads over the next three days (Friday – Sunday) - a 16 per cent increase on an average weekend following severe thundersnow warnings across Britain.

With potentially treacherous conditions, drivers in affected areas should only venture out in their cars if essential. For those that do decide to drive, Green Flag is urging them to make sure they are prepared for the worst, ensuring they have the following items with them for their journey, no matter what distance they are travelling.

Breakdowns predicted:

• Friday 13th – 36,212
• Saturday 14th – 24,771
• Sunday 15th – 20,588

Essential items to carry in your Car

• Mobile phone plus charger
• Blanket and warm clothes
• Water and snacks
• Sturdy boots and a warm coat
• Reflective jacket
• Shovel
• Tow rope
• Jump leads
• De-icer spray and scraper

Neil Wilson, head of rescue at Green Flag said: “We are expecting travel delays and adverse driving conditions. Our advice to motorists is to remain vigilant whilst driving, plan their journey carefully, allow extra time for delays and keep a close eye on traffic and weather bulletins.

"A breakdown is never pleasant for anybody, particularly in this wintry weather.  With Green Flag Alert Me, drivers could be saved from unnecessary breakdowns caused by faults they weren't aware of.  Now, we'll be with them on the whole journey - letting them know about potential issues in the cold weather before they turn into problems.”

Green Flag has the following tips on preparing your car for the winter:

• The best place to start is under the bonnet.  Ensure that your vehicle’s oil has the right viscosity and remember that oil tends to get thicker during colder months. The thicker the oil, the less effectively it will lubricate, so make sure you change it regularly and ensure the level is between the maximum and minimum marks on the dipstick.

• Check your battery connections are secure and corrosion-free.

   

• Batteries more than three years old hold charge less effectively, so check the level in the cells or have your battery professionally tested.

   

• Green Flag’s new Alert Me plug-in unit and app syncs with a car's diagnostic system, identifying problems and notifying the driver before a breakdown occurs.  This can save drivers from breaking down due to faults they aren’t aware of.  

   

• Aim for a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water in your radiator to ensure reliability. If in doubt, ask your local engineer to check it for you or purchase an antifreeze tester

   

• Low visibility is a major cause of road accidents in winter so replace your windscreen wiper blades with winter wipers if you’re a frequent driver and always replace summer washer fluid with winter fluid that won't freeze.

   

• While it may not be necessary to change to snow tyres, ensure that your tyre pressure is at an adequate level. Tyres that are properly inflated will help ensure the best possible traction, which can be compromised in wet and snowy conditions.

   

• Finally, don’t get caught out if something does go wrong – make sure you carry a seasonal survival kit in your car including a few snacks to eat. These are necessary in order to keep warm and safe while waiting for assistance in the event of a winter breakdown.

ENDS

For further information please contact

Gabriella Griffin at Frank PR on 020 7693 6999 or email greenflag@frankpr.it

Green Flag

With over 40 years experience, Green Flag provides customers with breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers have access to a network of breakdown operators across the UK and mainland Europe.

Green Flag Motoring Assistance is underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales no 1179980. U K Insurance Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Green Flag and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc, which is wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. 

Customers can find out more about Green Flag products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 1557, connecting via the Green Flag Rescue Me Application, or visiting www.greenflag.com