Experienced motorists cope best in a breakdown

Recent research from Green Flag Motoring Assistance has revealed that more experienced drivers are more confident in their ability to cope with a breakdown than younger ones. In a survey of over 2,000 motorists, results showed that the older a driver is, the less nervous they are in a breakdown situation.

Three quarters of the drivers aged 55 and over said they would take it in their stride, compared with only 57 per cent of 16 -24 year-olds.

A third of all motorists surveyed said the situation would make them feel unsettled or extremely nervous. Women were more likely to admit to feeling nervous about becoming stranded, 44 per cent compared to only one in six men.

Green Flag spokesman Nigel Charlesworth said: Younger motorists feel more vulnerable than older ones. This may be because they are less likely to know how to help themselves when their car lets them down. Most motorists would benefit from a little more maintenance knowledge to avoid an unnerving breakdown situation."

To reduce the risk of becoming stranded this winter, Green Flag offers the following advice:
·   Have your car serviced before the cold weather sets in.
·   Have the battery tested. Most garages will have a battery testing service that will give a visual display of the condition of the battery. Many garages will do this free of charge.
·   Check the tyre pressure and tread. The minimum legal tread is 1.6mm. Your manual will tell you the correct pressure.
·   Remember to check the oil once a month during the winter.
·   Keep the petrol tank at least half full to prevent moisture freezing in the petrol line.
·   Check the anti-freeze content of the washers and cooling system is at the correct level. See your car manual for guidance.
·   Make sure all the lights are working properly: headlights, indicators, fog and hazard warning lights. Also check the interior lights which you may need if stranded in the dark.
·   Check the wiper blades are free from cracks and tears.
·   Top up the washer bottle to maintain good visibility.

Despite preparing, breakdowns and accidents still happen. If you do breakdown this winter:
·   Pull off the road as soon as you think there may be a problem with your car.
·   Position your vehicle as far over to the left-hand-side of the road as possible.
·   Put your hazard warning lights on. In the dark, or in poor visibility conditions, leave your side-lights on as well.
·   Remain with the vehicle and call for assistance using a mobile phone.
·   On the motorway, exit by the left side passenger door and wait on the verge, away from traffic, not inside the car.
·   When help arrives, ask for identification.

For more information on Green Flag Motoring Assistance visit www.greenflag.com or call 0845 246 1557.

Notes to editors
§   Green Flag Motoring Assistance provides roadside rescue and recovery to almost 5m customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
§   Green Flags incident management centre in Leeds handles around 1m calls each year.
§   On average Green Flag reaches customers within 39 minutes (based on 213,000 customer questionnaires undertaken from July 2002 to June 2003).
§   Green Flag customers give the service a 98 per cent satisfaction rating (based on the results of questionnaires sent to 500,000 customers).
§   More than 90 per cent get assistance within the hour.

Press calls
For further information contact Nigel Charlesworth or Melanie Denny at Green Flag on 0113 399 1427/1387 (out of hours 07711 964 615).

Public-relations@greenflag.com            www.greenflag.com