A SIMPLE yet effective hack can help drivers get roadside assistance more quickly during the winter – when breakdowns become more common.
With longer nights and wet, icy roads making driving more demanding, the National Highways claims breakdowns tend to rise by 22% – according to data collected over the past five years.
Breakdowns are typically caused by battery issues, low or incorrect fluids, tyre problems, and brake faults.
But one lesser-known tip to getting the help you need quickly is by using The AA’s mobile app to request help rather than calling, which can speed up recovery significantly.
According to The AA, contacting them through the app reportedly takes under three and a half minutes – with patrols aiming to reach stranded drivers in less than an hour.
Beyond faster contact and response times, the AA say their app offers several practical features designed to support drivers day-to-day and in emergencies – including rapid breakdown reporting, nearby fuel station location and price comparison with the ability to save preferred stations.
There’s also EV support including finding the nearest charge points with real-time availability, MOT reminders, discounted car insurance and route planning with traffic checks.
WINTER READY
The AA also suggests wearing suitable footwear and keeping a small towel in the car to dry wet pedals during the winter.
They even suggest carrying sunglasses to counter glare from low winter sun reflecting off snow.
Use gentle throttle inputs and, in manual cars, pull away in second gear to reduce wheel spin; in electric or hybrid vehicles, lower the regenerative braking setting for smoother control on slippery surfaces.
It’s also best to leave extra following distance, use headlights in heavy snow and be extra cautious driving in tyre tracks where ice often persists.
And if you begin to skid, steering gently into the skid while avoiding abrupt braking or sudden movements.
What’s more, while driving with snow on your motor isn’t itself illegal, all windows must be cleared.
For safety, The AA recommends removing snow from both the roof and windows, since roof snow can slide forward under braking and obscure the driver’s view.
If an accident does occur while windows are obstructed, it could constitute dangerous driving.
This comes as an expert has urged homeowners to stop sprinkling salt over icy driveways, as a 90p kitchen staple works just as well.
While many homeowners instinctively use salt to deal with ice, there are several drawbacks.
Salt can be messy, leave residue and contribute to surface damage over time – especially to concrete, block paving and decorative finishes.
It can also encourage spalling in concrete, discolour or etch sealed surfaces and harm nearby plants or lawns.
In response, coatings and driveway specialist Bill Jarvis of Premium Paints has recommended a cheap, driveway-friendly alternative that he says works quickly and is gentler on surface materials.
He said: “Homeowners often panic when the first frost hits and reach for bags of salt.”
And he added: “There’s a much cheaper, faster and gentler way to tackle ice, and most people already have everything they need at home.”
Jarvis suggests a simple, low-cost solution combining two parts water with one part rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) and a small squeeze of washing-up liquid – something which can be bought for as little as 90p or is likely already inside your kitchen cabinet.
The ingredients can be poured into a spray bottle, shaken to blend and then sprayed directly onto icy patches.
According to him, the isopropyl alcohol “lowers the freezing point of the ice, and the washing-up liquid helps it cling to the surface”.
