Increase in Breakdowns Expected

• News
• Published: 03 Jan 2009 in Motoring and General

The first Monday of the New Year is likely to see a record number of stranded drivers on Britain's roads, a not-for-profit breakdown company has warned.

The Environmental Transport Association (ETA) is expecting a rush of calls due to a combination of cold weather and cost cutting by motorists.

The cold snap over the New Year period will exacerbate the problem of flat batteries - traditionally the main cause of car breakdowns on the first day back at work after Christmas when vehicles have been unused for days or even weeks.

Meanwhile, an ETA survey has revealed that more people this year are trying to save money by cutting back on what they see as non-essential services, such as breakdown cover.

Andrew Davis, director of the ETA, said: "It's not just people who can feel flat following the New Year festivities; the sub-zero temperatures predicted for early January mean many car batteries will fail on that first Monday back to work."