• Five breakdowns every 30 seconds over the Easter weekend
• Around 12,358 battery-related issues will cause delays getting to destinations
• There will be 2,000 clutch-related breakdowns
• Green Flag provides tips on staying road safe over Easter bank holiday
   

As families across the country gear up for Easter Bank Holiday trips, they may find themselves spending it on the roadside if they don't prepare properly, new data by national breakdown cover provider Green Flag reveals.

A staggering 60,000 breakdowns are expected to cause havoc for drivers with five breakdowns every 30 seconds expected to take place on Britain's roads. Over 12,000 battery breakdowns are expected to occur along with 6,000 tyre-related and 2,000 clutch-related issues causing delays and disruptions.

Green Flag is encouraging people to watch out for the preventable mishaps such as locking keys in their cars or misfueling their tank. Every hour 14 drivers will lock their keys in their car and 13 drivers will fill their tank with the wrong fuel.

According to Green Flag, the most common causes of Easter bank holiday breakdowns (Friday 14th April to Monday 17th April) are:
 

1. Battery-related incident (12,358)
2. Tyre-related incident (5,664)
3. Clutch issue (1,953)
4. Alternator issue (1,770)
5. Keys lost/locked in car (847)
6. Misfuel (782)
7. Fuel pump issue (518)
8. Immobiliser (494) 
9. Power steering (453)
10. Engine failure (64)
     

Green Flag hopes the data will encourage people to check their cars before they travel to give families the best chance of getting to their Easter egg hunts on time.

Nick Reid, head of automotive technology at Green Flag, commented: "It's Easter and the last thing families want to worry about is their car breaking down when there are Easter eggs to be eaten! The roads will be extremely busy, so it's no wonder that a high number of breakdowns are predicted to take place, however, the majority of these breakdowns are avoidable.

"We're expecting over 5,000 more flat or faulty battery-related breakdowns this Easter, so we’re urging people to ensure their car has been fully checked before hitting the road."

In order to give Brits travelling over the Easter bank holiday the best chance of getting to their destination no matter what, Green Flag has also prepared some hints and tips on how to avoid and prepare for breakdowns before you set off on the road:
 

1. Walk around the car and look for any signs of potential trouble, especially tyres and lights
2. Check tyre pressures, and that you have a spare included
3. Check all fluid levels and top up if necessary
4. Make sure you have breakdown cover. If you’re travelling abroad make sure your cover extends to your trip away. If it doesn’t, you may need to arrange separate cover
5. Keep a road map in the car so you’ll be able to explain where you are when you call for help. Don’t rely on the map on your phone – you won’t always have signal
6. Keep some coins or a phone card in the car in case you need to call for help and there’s no mobile phone signal
7. Make sure your phone battery is topped up – think about buying an in-car charger just in case you need it
8. Have the number for your emergency breakdown provider handy – you’ll usually find it on your policy certificate so you could keep this in the glove box
9. Carry a red warning triangle at all times
    

For more information about how to make sure your car is road-ready, visit www.greenflag.com.

A full set of hints and tips can be found here: http://www.greenflag.com/help/drivingguide-what-to-do-in-a-breakdown.html
 

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For further information please contact the Green Flag press office at Frank

0207 693 6999/ [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

About Green Flag

With over 40 years experience, Green Flag provides customers with breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers have access to a network of breakdown operators across the UK and mainland Europe (Euro Plus cover required).

Green Flag Motoring Assistance is underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Green Flag and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc. 

Customers can find out more about Green Flag products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 1557, connecting via the Green Flag Rescue Me Application, or visiting www.greenflag.com