BREAKDOWNS - ARE YOU PREPARED?

What To Carry In Your Car

A fully charged mobile phone. Once a 'nice to have status symbol' which has now become an essential part of modern life for most people.

An up-to-date map or Sat Nav. This will help you identify your location to the recovery centre. Most recovery organisations will ask their members to pick out any landmarks to help the operator reach them faster.

Warm clothing and Wellington boots. Prepare yourself in case you get stranded in the snow and need to walk to reach a phone.

A shovel. If setting out in heavy snow, or when it is forecast, it makes sense to carry a shovel in the boot just in case you run into a drift.

Chocolate and a warm drink. If going on a long journey in bad weather, it is also advisable to take supplies of food and drink. You never know what difficulties you may run into.

A torch with working batteries. If it is dark when you break down you may need to get out of the car to see what the problem is. Motoring organisations will always try to identify the cause of the breakdown when the member calls to ensure the operator arrives with any special equipment needed, and the appropriate recovery vehicle.

A first aid kit. If you are involved in a minor accident, or even see another collision on the roads, it is always best to be prepared.

A set of j...