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Original poster

To remind people to have a breakdown bag in their car?

204 replies

JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:26

This is a seriously un-smug post, as I do have a breakdown bag in my car, but today I have broken down in a vehicle that is not my car, and I do not have my breakdown bag.

I have therefore been shivering by the side of a motorway for nearly 2hrs getting colder and colder wishing I had my breakdown bag.

so if you don’t have one, I would thoroughly recommend making one. Mine has a hat, gloves, warm jumper, waterproof mac, small towel, water, biscuits, torch and a phone battery in it.

Never have I wanted that old hat and pair of gloves so much, and am trying to work out at what point the risk of hypothermia overtakes the risk of sitting in the vehicle…

OP posts:
WorriedMillie · 16/10/2023 20:49

You’ve given me a kick to get something sorted for my car, so thank you ⭐️
I hope you get rescued soon ❤️

Original poster
JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:49

@Jumbojem there is no safety barrier here, which makes the experience extra memorable

OP posts:
Original poster
JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:48

@ExtinguishTheLight Not sure what happened, sudden banging noise, then lots of knocking, so I pulled straight over and then tried to pull over a bit more and it wouldn’t get into a gear. At least I got onto the hard shoulder

OP posts:
Jumbojem · 16/10/2023 20:47

Breakdown kit eminently sensible. Thank you for the reminder, I cleaned our car interior at the weekend and OH complained I've removed his emergency snacks. I think they were out of date though. A blanket is an excellent idea.
Do not sit in your car on the hard shoulder, stay behind the safety barrier as far back as you can. Incredibly dangerous to be in the car. Can't believe someone on this thread has suggested that.

itsmylife7 · 16/10/2023 20:46

You have my sympathy OP.

WhatAPalaverer · 16/10/2023 20:46

Tarp, groundsheet, trangia, ration pack meals, full first aid kit, blankets, fluorescent jacket and a shovel in mine.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 16/10/2023 20:45

With severe flooding expected in places by this weekend, this thread is an excellent reminder about being prepared.

I hope you are rescued soon!

CyberCritical · 16/10/2023 20:44

I think I could survive out of my car for a couple of days, but that's more because of slobbishness and not being bothered to take stuff inside than organised thinking.

My boot currently has a bag of fruit shoots, another of cupboard snacks a couple of towels and at least one picnic blanket, half filled bottles of screen wash, antifreeze, oil and a couple of bottles of water, wellies for everyone and a change of clothes for DD. The back seat has several pairs of sunglasses, lots of toys a couple of kids books. My glovebox has masks, gloves, a woolly hat, some boiled sweets and mentos.

Then there's other stuff I can't remember.

Original poster
JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:43

@CityCommuter fortunately I leave for work hideously early in the morning so did have a coat, and put my warm boots on for driving today, which was lucky… I’d be really cold in my usual driving ballet flats

OP posts:
DyslexicPoster · 16/10/2023 20:42

I have 4 foil blankets and water in each car. If its my car there's normally my wellies, coat and a waterproof. Oh and my folding chair! I'm a prepper so i do try to be prepaired. My battery pack and leads are always in my handbag too. No food unfortunately

TheCompactPussycat · 16/10/2023 20:42

Poor you. I hope they get to you soon.

Not quite a breakdown, but many years ago I couldn't get home when there was severe flooding on the main road. It was dark and I'd already come through quite a bit of floodwater (as had hundreds of others cars, I'm not a complete idiot) so didn't fancy trying to make my way round another route. I had to spend the night in the car (as did other drivers). Ever since then, I've had an emergency kit in the car (waterproofs, boots, hat, gloves, blanket, torch, tin of boiled sweets, etc.)

Original poster
JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:42

@octodrive i will take this experience as now not a total waste.

I have also realised how much happier I would be if there were a safety barrier for me to stand behind… instead it’s a narrow strip of grass and actual barbed wire on a fence to stop me moving further from the motorway

OP posts:
CityCommuter · 16/10/2023 20:40

@JustWantCoffee hopefully someone will be with you soon... are you wearing a coat as it's cold out there tonight?

Original poster
JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:39

@EvelynKatie i am told this is the priority response… which I am still waiting for

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Riverlee · 16/10/2023 20:39

always carry water and old tatty fleeces in the car, and a blanket. If dh goes on any long trips, I ensure he has water, biscuits etc.

octodrive · 16/10/2023 20:38

Thank you. I hope you get rescued soon. I will be sorting a bag for my car boot as soon as I can in the back of this thread.

Original poster
JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:38

Air activated heat packs sound amazing @QuestionableMouse , fancy throwing some out at me?!

OP posts:
ExtinguishTheLight · 16/10/2023 20:38

No, you will have to stay with the vehicle but your DH could swap with you. They won't care who is there.

Can you put your hazards on or is it completely dead?

What's happened to it, by the way?

WaitingForSunnyDays · 16/10/2023 20:38

I absolutely agree and posted similar on another thread about travelling for work just a few days ago. I can't understand why more people don't realise how important it is, although maybe it's only once you've broken down that you know!

EvelynKatie · 16/10/2023 20:37

They used to prioritise people stuck on motorways/busy dual carriageways but after 2 hours of you waiting sounds as though that’s changed!

Original poster
JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:37

I am trying to find the cars whizzing by soothing. It is ultimately a first world problem, but did think worth sharing to (a) maybe help someone else in the future and (b) distract me from the cold!

OP posts:
octodrive · 16/10/2023 20:36

ExtinguishTheLight · 16/10/2023 20:31

I've worked in breakdowns. If you're really that cold then sit in the car. Unless you're broken down in an active lane?

Don't be ridiculous. It doesn't have to be an active lane to be dangerous. I can't believe E someone who works in breakdown would suggest getting back in the car.

Original poster
JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:35

2 hrs and still waiting. DH now worrying about me so is going to come and switch with ne. Breakdown people say they can’t recover unless I stay with vehicle

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 16/10/2023 20:34

I keep those air activated heat packs in my car. And usually have coats and such in the car anyway.

Hope you're okay!

Original poster
JustWantCoffee · 16/10/2023 20:34

The car is on the hard shoulder, but literally only just so will try and stay out of it

OP posts: