What Happens If Your Car Breaks Down

If your car breaks down

If your vehicle breaks down, there are a few steps you should follow. As soon as you think that your car has a problem it is best to act immediately. Read the following advice below to make sure that you are properly prepared if you do have a problem.

How to Use a Motorway

Always make yourself seen by putting on your headlights and hazard warning lights. Use the hard shoulder in emergencies if you think you won't be able to make it to the next exit. Park on the far left of the hard shoulder as near as you can to an emergency phone. Emergency phones are spaced every half-mile. If you can't get to the hard shoulder, switch your hazard warning lights on. When there is a safe gap in the traffic, walk over to the hard shoulder. Never stay in your car and always leave your car by the left-hand side and move any passengers away onto the banking or further away if possible. Your animals should be kept securely inside the vehicle. You must only go back to your car if you feel you are at risk from other vehicles.

Once your car has been repaired build up speed on the hard shoulder before pulling out into the traffic. But do keep a look out for any other vehicles parked on the hard shoulder. Never repair the vehicle yourself in such a dangerous position. Walk to the emergency telephone and contact your recovery service - these SOS telephones are free to use. Rescue services can find your location and tell the police about your situation. Most breakdown services promise to get to you as a priority.

Using Other Roads

Put on your hazard warning lights and if you have a reflective jacket and/or a warning triangle, use them to make yourself seen. If possible get out of the traffic and get your car off the road and park it in a safe position so that it doesn't cause an obstruction. Keep your passengers safe and lead them away from your car if you think it could be hit by passing vehicles. It is actually best to stay in your vehicle with the sidelights and heater on. Stay with your vehicle and wait in safety for your recovery service. If you feel you can't repair your car yourself, contact your breakdown service. Find out exactly where you've broken down to help them find you.

Maintaining Your Vehicle

Avoid hitting your wheels against kerbs, especially when you are parking. This can cause the tyre to weaken without showing any damage on the outside. Try to carry spare bulbs for your vehicle and in Europe it is actually compulsory to carry an emergency bulb kit. Keep them in your boot and make sure your manual is there also so that you know how to fit them.

Check your oil level when the engine is cold. Also check your spare tire from time to time because you never know when you might need it. It’s actually an offense to carry a spare that's not roadworthy. You should change your windscreen wiper blades every six months, even if they haven't been used very often. The rubber tends to deteriorate over time.

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About Road Safety

Road Safety

Securing Your Vehicle

Make sure that your car is always locked, even when going to pay for fuel. Lock your vehicle on entering, especially traffic that is slow moving. Keep briefcases and handbags out of sight to avoid them being stolen by opportunist thieves. Robberies at traffic lights have increased in the last few years. Check the interior of your vehicle before entering, especially the back seats.
When you park in a public place do not leave valuables on view inside the vehicle, place these items in the boot or inside the glove box. Make sure that your car is secured with approved security devices.

Breaking down on the Motorway

Make sure that your car has enough fuel and oil and that you have the correct tyre pressures. Also check that your tyres are in good condition. In order to avoid breakdowns make sure that your vehicle is well maintained. Regular maintenance highlights problems in the early stages and this can prevent a breakdown.

If your vehicle has a problem while using a motorway, try to stop next to an emergency telephone box. These boxes are usually one mile apart. Emergency boxes will transfer your call to the appropriate breakdown services. Always put your hazard warning lights on.

If you have to walk to the telephone box the arrows on the marker posts point to the nearest one. The call will be free and you will be put through to the police control. They will take your details before transferring your call to your breakdown service. Let the operator know if you are alone or disabled. Park on the hard shoulder. Lock all your doors if you are alone apart from the passenger door and use the passenger door to exit your vehicle.

Try to keep a warm blanket, coat and walking shoes in the vehicle. When you have made your call stand or sit on the motorway embankment away from the traffic. The main danger is from passing traffic sometimes they just can’t see you in time. If you are alone and a vehicle pulls up immediately get into your car and lock the passenger door. Never pick up hitchhikers and what most people don’t know is that it is illegal for anyone to stop on the motorway to offer assistance.

Breaking Down at Night

If your vehicle breaks down in a dark place make sure that your hazard warning lights are on. Try to drive on to a well lit area where there might be a telephone. A mobile phone is a must if you often travel at night. Try to remember landmarks and street names to assist the breakdown service in locating your vehicle. When you make a call make it clear you are alone and ask for advice. Carry a torch in your glove box and a personal alarm could also be very useful.

Safety of Passengers

It is best not to overheat the inside of the car because this can cause fatigue or motion sickness. It is better to put on extra clothing and this is another reason to keep a car blanket inside your vehicle. If you are driving a long way make sure you take regular breaks. Make sure that your child seat is correctly fitted. Never put a rearward facing child seat on the front passenger seat if an airbag is fitted.

Road Rage and Driver Safety

In order to avoid an incident try not to get defensive with another driver if they are angered by a driving error. Say it was your mistake or say that you are sorry.

A recent survey on road rage found that: “more than half of all drivers had been sworn at, more than two thirds had been the target of abusive hand signals, 600,000 had been attacked or punched and over a million drivers had been rammed by another car.”

Never lose your temper and don’t return verbal abuse or threaten any gestures if you do it will only make things worse. Also avoid eye contact it can defuse the situation. If you are followed by another vehicle make your way to a highly populated or busy area and use your horn or flash your lights to attract attention. If you are forced off the road by another vehicle you should lock all the doors and do not leave your vehicle.

Report road rage incidents to the police and try to give as much information as possible. Drive at the correct speed limit and never get distracted. If you see that another driver is having difficulty, drive on and report it later by telephone. Never stop to offer assistance.

If you Have a Disability

If you are unfortunate to have a disability which prevents you from following the above advice you should: Switch on your warning lights; stay in your vehicle and at the time of placing your emergency call to the breakdown services inform them or the call handler of your circumstances and/or requirements.

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Driving on the Motorway

About Driving on the Motorway

Driving on the Motorway

There are less accidents on Motorways than on any other roads. But often there are crashes on the motorway that could have been prevented. If you stick to a few simple motorway rules you can ensure that you don’t contribute to behaviour which could be termed as 'motorway madness'.

Tips on Driving

When driving on wet slippery roads, or if there is poor visibility then you should leave at least a four second gap between you and the vehicle in front. In daylight, switch your headlights on to dipped when visibility is poor. Always use your mirrors and observe lane discipline. Use the left hand lane (slow lane) whenever possible. Lanes two and three are overtaking lanes and not “fast lanes”. Indicate when changing lanes.

Make sure that your vehicle is well maintained, and that you have sufficient fuel and oil, check the tyre pressures and make sure that tyres are in good condition including the spare wheel (you never know when you might need it). Always drive within the speed limit. Concentration and use of mirrors are important on motorways because of higher traffic volumes and the speed of vehicles. Take care when approaching intersections where traffic is joining or merging on the motorway. Always obey motorway signals. These signals warn of dangers ahead: an accident, broken down vehicle, bad weather conditions, flooding or a slippery road surface. Keep your distance from the car in front. When driving on a dry road and in good weather you should leave at least a 2 second gap between your car and the one in front.

Take special notice of the signs that say “Tiredness Kills” take regular breaks at service areas, but never stop on the hard shoulder. If you do feel tired get off the motorway at the next exit. Take care at road works and when approaching them. You must reduce your speed and obey all warning signs. Pass or overtake only on the right hand side unless traffic is moving in queues and the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are.

It is an offense to move into a lane on your left to overtake and never use the hard shoulder to overtake. Be very careful when joining a motorway, you must give way to all motorway traffic. Slow down in foggy conditions and use your lights. Always keep a sensible distance from the car in front and in very bad fog open your window slightly and turn off any music so you can hear other vehicles.

Breaking Down on the Motorway

If you have to walk to a telephone the arrows on the marker posts point to the nearest telephone. All calls are free and you will be put through to police control who will take all your details. You should use the motorway phones because they provide the operator with your location. If you can’t to use the motorway phones and you use your mobile, you must give an accurate position, the motorway number and the last or next motorway junction number also the number of the nearest marker post will be a great help.

If you break down on the motorway, use your hazard signals or your left indicator and when it is safe to do so, move over to the hard shoulder. Find the nearest emergency phone box. They are normally one mile apart. Park well over to the left on the hard shoulder and lock all your doors apart from the passenger door and use the passenger door to exit your vehicle. When you leave the hard shoulder increase your speed to that of other vehicles and wait for a long safe gap in the traffic. When you have made your call, if weather conditions permit, stand on the embankment because the main danger is from passing traffic.

If an unidentified vehicle pulls up and you are alone in your vehicle get into your car and lock the doors. It is actually against the law for anyone to stop on the motorway and offer help. If anyone does stop, ask them to contact the appropriate emergency service, rather than help you. It is best to keep a warm coat, walking shoes and a blanket in your vehicle.

What is Insured

Breakdown insurance is usually designed to cover the repair cost incurred as a direct result of electrical, mechanical and electronic breakdown. It doesn’t usually cover the repair or replacement of worn out components which have not suffered a breakdown. It does not cover the replacement or repair of components which were faulty or had suffered a breakdown prior to the commencement of the breakdown policy. Breakdown companies hold a list of exclusions so it is advised to read this before taking out a policy.

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Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

About Mechanical Breakdown Cover

Your vehicle can break down at the most inconvenient time leaving you to pay large garage bills. Mechanical breakdown cover can help you and usually covers the cost of mechanical breakdown repairs to your vehicle leaving you to enjoy your motoring. Make sure that there are no hidden catches and no 'wear and tear”, excuses.

You can usually pay the breakdown premium over twelve months and you can sometimes transfer the policy to the new owner if you happen to sell the vehicle.

How Do I Qualify for Breakdown Cover?

Policies usually cover mechanical breakdown on private cars, motorcaravans and motorcycles which are less than ten years old, have less than 100,000 miles on the clock and have been regularly serviced. Some companies have a list of excluded vehicles.

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Car Insurance Types

Car Insurance Types

Third Party Car Insurance

Car Insurance Central would not recommend this type of insurance. It only covers other peoples’ cars and property so if your car gets stolen you will not get anything, spend the extra and get Third Party Fire and Theft and a decent level of cover.

Third Party Fire & Theft Car Insurance

Third Party Fire and Theft is very popular with young drivers and is used to cover cars that aren't really worth very much. Car Insurance Central does not recommend this level of cover for your mint condition Mercedes, but it will be fine for your clapped out Fiesta. This type of insurance is also very good if you are a convicted driver and want to keep the cost of your insurance down.

Fully Comprehensive Car Insurance

Fully Comp Car insurance is the best insurance that you can buy, every insurer has different restrictions and features so check to make sure you know what you can and can't do. Fully comp car insurance doesn't mean that you are covered for everything. Check with your insurance company if you have any special requirements. Protected No Claims Bonus is usually only available if you have over four years of NCB. This doesn't mean you can have as many accidents as you like, you are usually restricted to one and then you start to lose your NCB slowly. Some insurance companies offer over 25s guaranteed NCB.

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Car Insurance and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

In 1975, The rehabilitation of offenders Act came into force following Lord Gardiner's report, which stated that a million people in the United Kingdom had a criminal record. This Act set out to protect reformed characters by wiping off criminal convictions after several conviction free years. This Act has changed the way insurance companies look at convicted drivers.

Convicted Drivers

Some car insurance companies offer driving insurance for convicted drivers within the United Kingdom. Lots of insurers still look at convictions, as a serious problem but under the law, spent convictions cannot be taken into account. It is the duty of the insured person to honestly disclose all convictions that are not spent.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

The 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act enables some criminal convictions to become 'spent' or ignored, after a period of 'rehabilitation'.

Sentences Handed out for Car Offences

The rehabilitation period for some convicted drivers depends on the original sentence given, not the offense that was committed. For a custodial sentence the rehabilitation period is decided on the original sentence given, not the time spent. To all convicted drivers, it takes account of motoring offenses and therefore affects the handling of driving insurance. The general public understands very little about this so it is important to establish the facts. This will avoid repudiation of claims or re-quotes after a non-disclosure. An endorsement on your driving license does not fall within the definition of the act so cannot affect the rehabilitation period. It is unlikely that a person would receive penalty points without a fine, disqualification or a prison sentence.

Example:

If a person was caught speeding and was given three penalty points and a £50 fine in this case it is the fine of £50 that would result in a 5-year rehabilitation period, not the endorsement.

Insurance and Drink Driving

This also applies to drink driving offenses. The license is endorsed for eleven years; but, any rehabilitation period is determined by the punishment (fine, disqualification or imprisonment). Disqualification relating to driving insurance for convicted drivers in United Kingdom. If a person is disqualified from driving or being a company director at the same time as receiving another penalty, the longer rehabilitation period applies.

Example:

If a person is banned for seven years and fined - which takes five years to become spent - the rehabilitation period would be seven years not five years.

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Car Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Car Insurance FAQ's

What is Excess?

Excess is the contributory amount you pay when you make a claim, but if the claim is found to not be your fault, it is sometimes possible to recover this excess from the party found to be at fault.

I am named on another car insurance policy, am I entitled to no claim discount?

Most insurers will only reward the policy holder with no claim discount. But if you have been claim free some insurers may be able to give you an introductory discount. Young drivers can sometimes receive a discount if they have completed the Pass Plus course.

If I have an Accident, what happens?

This will depend on your car insurance cover, some insurers can arrange for your vehicle to be recovered and you and your passengers can be taken home or to your destination in safety.

How do I Make a claim?

You should contact your insurance company where details of the accident will be and most insurers will sort out your problem immediately. There can be forms to fill in but you will usually be informed whether your car insurance policy covers you for the incident, what you have to pay and the steps involved in your insurance claim being settled.

Can I Still Drive while my car is being repaired?

Some insurance policies provide a courtesy car and this is usually available for the duration of any repairs to your vehicle. If your car is stolen or a total loss then most insurers will guarantee a hire car until an offer is made to settle the insurance claim.

What Does Legal Cover Mean?

Legal Cover usually provides legal advice via a helpline. Legal cover can provide assistance to recover uninsured losses (such as your excess), medical losses or loss of earnings. Legal costs to pursue a case after a motoring accident, and up to cover to defend against any motoring prosecutions (this usually excludes drink and drug-related offences).

Can I drive abroad with my car insurance policy?

These days car insurance policies usually cover you to drive in any country which are members of the European Union, to the minimum level of insurance required (normally third party only). If you need a higher level of cover insurers can offer you additional cover.

Can I protect my No Claim Discount?

With most insurers you can protect your no claim. This means that if your car is stolen, or you have no other party to claim against, you will not have to lose your no claim discount as well.

Do I need business use insurance to drive to work?

Under most insurance policies you can drive your vehicle back and forth to work using social, domestic and commuting purposes. Insurers can increase your cover if you need to use your vehicle to visit any other sites of business during your working day. This usually does not cover any goods or samples carried in connection with business use.

What should I do if I need to make a change to my insurance?

Contact your current insurer and they will make the changes and send you the updated documentation.

What changes do I need to tell my insurance company about?

You must tell changes in your name, address, mileage, modifications to your car and driving convictions.

If I leave my keys in the car am I not covered by my car insurance?

In most cases that is correct. If you leave your keys in your car even if it is only to pop down the shops or drop off a letter and your car is stolen, your car will not be covered. Remember always to take your car keys with you or make sure someone stays with the car.

My son is driving. What is the best way to insure him?

It is best to insure young drivers on their own policies. They will collect their own no-claim bonus which will help lower their insurance premiums. Most insurance companies now offer a young driver policy. Parents quite often insure their children as secondary drivers on their own insurance policy when actually the child is the main driver of the car. Parents think this is the cheapest way to get their children on the road but often this isn't the cheapest way and if insurance companies find out that the young driver is the main driver they may not pay out on an insurance claim. This is because information you have provided is incorrect and the insurance therefore becomes invalid.

I have a maximum no claim discount and I have bought a second car, can I add my no claim bonus to both cars?

No, you must earn another set of no claim bonus for your second vehicle. But some insurers can give you an introductory discount equivalent to the no claim bonus that they hold.

Can I drive other people's cars under my own car insurance?

No, you and any named drivers are only insured to drive vehicles identified on your Certificate of Motor Insurance or your Insurance Schedule, which should be kept with your car insurance certificate.

You can add an additional temporary car or an additional driver to your insurance contact your insurance company and they can arrange for a car or driver to be added to your car insurance subject to normal restrictions. They will then send you an amended insurance schedule showing the additional car or driver details.

Can I insure my car for driving abroad?

Normally If you pay an extra premium, your insurance can be extended to provide the same level of cover in the EU and some other European countries. If you want to extend your insurance, you must contact your insurer in plenty of time and they will provide the documents.

I am taking my car off the road - do I still have to pay my insurance premium?

If your car is not used for a continuous period, and this is not as a result of any loss or damage covered by insurance, insurance companies may suspend your cover and refund part of your premium for the laid-up period.

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CLIMATE CHANGES THAT THREAT TO THE LIFE OF THE EARTH

Climate Changes That Threat To The Life Of The Earth

In general, climate change is referred to as a global warming phenomenon where the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere increases and continues over a certain period of time. The causes of climate change and global warming consist of many different factors and affect human life. 

The climate is constantly changing due to the interaction of its components and external factors such as volcanic eruptions, variations in sunlight, and anthropogenic factors such as cultivation and fossil fuels. Climate change is a significant change in climate, air temperature and rainfall that lasts tens of years to millions of years. Climate change is caused by increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other gasses in the atmosphere, causing the greenhouse effect. 

Many governments have pledged to make their economies carbon neutral within the next 10 to 30 years. With stable CO2 emissions in Europe and America, while emissions in Asia and Africa are increasing, the infographic below shows how much the economy needs to achieve carbon neutrality.

The Process of Climate Change

Every day we experience more and more climate change, which is increasingly worrying. It was a very hot day and it suddenly rained. It should be remembered that climate change doesn't happen overnight, it happens for several reasons. 

For that, we must try to overcome it by starting to love and protect the environment, such as planting trees, not littering, recycling and other simple ways. Climate change is nothing new. The global climate is always changing. Some of the land that was covered with ice millions of years ago has now become land due to fluctuations in solar radiation or volcanic eruptions. 

Current and future climate change can be caused not only by natural phenomena but also by various human activities. Rapidly developing economic developments have important effects on the global climate, such as the use of fossil fuels as an energy source, an increase in the number of motorized vehicles and large-scale clearing of land through deforestation.

Climate change is influenced by several things:

• The distance of the sun from the location of the earth is affected. As the sun approaches, the radiation received by the earth increases. This radiation supports convection, or the rising of water vapor into the sky. 
• Environmental conditions, whether the area is mountainous, hilly, forested or sandy. Mountainous or hilly areas affect air movement. Mountains or hills help the air rise. The air that is lifted up or into the sky supports the formation of clouds. 
• Near or far from a water source, such as an ocean or lake. Areas close to water bodies have a higher probability of precipitation than areas far from water sources. This is due to the high evaporation rate in areas close to water sources. Because of this, Indonesia has more rainfall than outside of Australia. Besides being close to the equator, Indonesia is also surrounded by vast oceans. 
• Aerosols dispersed in the atmosphere also have an impact on climate change. Aerosols are tiny particles in gasses and air. Aerosols can come from desert dust, volcanic eruptions, or human activities such as motorcycles and factory exhaust.

Solar radiation that hits the earth in the form of short waves penetrates the earth's atmosphere and then becomes long waves when it reaches the earth's surface. After reaching the surface of the earth, some of these waves are reflected back into the atmosphere. 

Unfortunately, not all of the long waves reflected by Earth can penetrate the atmosphere into space because they are blocked and absorbed by gasses in the atmosphere called greenhouse gasses (GHG). This natural phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect (GHE).

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