October to February are Green Flag's busiest months, with calls for assistance rising by as much as 26 per cent compared with the rest of the year. In fact, more than half of all calls for roadside assistance are due to winter-related breakdowns.
Non-starting vehicles, mainly due to problems with batteries, remains the number one cause of winter breakdowns, accounting for almost half of all calls, while the second most common cause for calls for assistance in winter is minor accidents, accounting for 10 per cent of all breakdowns. The increase in calls for help arising from minor accidents underlines the need to take extra care when driving in wet and icy conditions.
Tyre problems account for a further nine per cent of calls received during the winter months. At all times and particularly in winter conditions, there is a need to ensure tyres are in good condition and have adequate (and legal) tread depth (1.6mm) to ensure maximum traction on wet roads. Many motorists come unstuck in the event of a puncture as they forget to keep the spare wheel maintained.
Further common causes of winter breakdowns include electrical and mechanical faults, problems with the drive system, problems with cooling systems, and lost or stolen keys.
Some more unusual causes of winter breakdowns Green Flag responded to last year included fires, boot problems, mirror and windscreen wiper problems, and driver illness.
Green Flag's top ten winter breakdown causes
- Non-start/battery failure
- Minor accidents
- Tyre/wheel problems
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Drive system
- Cooling system
- Keys locked in the car/stolen or lost
- Mis-fuelling/running out of petrol
- Cables
