A breakdown every six seconds expected as weather fluctuates over Bank Holiday Weekend

CCTV of a car breakdown on a motorway

With families across the UK keen to take advantage of the final days of the school holidays, leading breakdown cover provider Green Flag is urging motorists to check their vehicles before embarking on any long journeys over the bank holiday weekend.

Green Flag is predicting that up to 42,800 car breakdowns will occur on Britain’s roads from Saturday to Monday. This translates to a staggering 10 breakdowns every minute.

Following months of hot weather that has been dominated by large periods of sunshine, temperatures are set to keep dropping ahead of the bank holiday weekend. The turbulent weather is set to cause problems for 595 drivers every hour, with a combination of tyre related issues, faulty batteries and potholes in the road causing issues for drivers across the country.

If each broken down vehicle was placed end to end they would reach 119 miles (192 km) more than the entire length of the M25’s 117 miles (188km).

Furthermore, as people start to head back to work on Tuesday 28 August following the bank holiday weekend, Green Flag is predicting a 35 per cent increase in breakdowns compared to an average Tuesday in August.

Simon Henrick, Head of News at Green Flag said: “With the temperature starting to drop after the heat we’ve experienced, it’s important to be aware of the strain that the change in temperature can have on several of the car’s key components, as well as the effects it can have on the roads itself.

“At Green Flag, we want to ensure that drivers enjoy their bank holiday weekend by staying safe on the roads. The impact of additional cars on the road, combined with the turbulent weather conditions, means that we’re anticipating an increase in callouts. Several of the problems that drivers are likely to confront can be avoided if the correct measures are taken to check the vehicle before a long journey.”

In order to help drivers reach their destinations safely, Green Flag has released the following common sense tips:

• Walk around the car and look for any signs of potential trouble, especially tyres and lights
• Check tyre pressures, spare included
• Check all fluid levels and top up if necessary
• Make sure you have breakdown cover. If you’re travelling abroad, make sure your cover extends to your trip away. If it doesn’t, you may need to arrange separate cover
• Keep a road map in the car so you’ll be able to explain where you are when you call for help. Don’t rely on the map on your phone – you won’t always have signal
• Make sure your phone battery is topped up – think about buying an in-car charger just in case you need it
• Have the number for your emergency breakdown provider handy – you’ll usually find it on your policy certificate so you could keep this in the glove box
• Carry a red warning triangle at all times
• Always keep some water and snacks in the car, in case you get stuck for a long time