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The car broke down. A cautionary tale.

(29 Posts)
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Lollin Thu 02-Nov-23 08:14:04

Never too old to learn they say. I have a red triangle which is in its sturdy case so it does not take up more space than an umbrella. Also have two big hi viz jackets (flimsy but high viz) in case I have passengers so at least two of us can wear them. Decided if it was winter I didn’t want to have to take off a thick coat to be able to wear it. Glad you were okay especially as it sounds like a very precarious spot to have broken down at unfortunately.

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Oopsadaisy1 Thu 02-Nov-23 08:12:44

My daughter was well prepared when her car broke down on a dual carriageway, she managed to steer onto the side of the road, very quickly got out of the car, hopped over the barrier just as a truck ploughed into the back of her car, pushed it along the road and wrote it off.

Yes it’s obvious that you should have all the necessary safety devices and the hazard jacket, but speed is also essential, don’t rummage around looking for things then get out, just get out of the vehicle quickly, best to have everything in a bag next to your handbag each time you go out, or in your drivers door pocket.

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Ali23 Thu 02-Nov-23 08:11:11

Glad to hear that you’re ok. It sounds like a very scary situation indeed!
Also glad to hear that someone helped you out 😊
Thanks for the advice… I don’t have any of those things either!

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fancythat Thu 02-Nov-23 08:04:21

My car broke down yesterday. 5pm. Caught the beginning of the storm. Not sure if that was relevant to the actual breakdown or not.

Fortunately I am with the AA.
I broke down in a bit of a dangerous place.
High hedges both sides of a busy single carriage road.
Nowhere to go to get out of danger properly,

It was getting dark, and rain and wind had started in earnest.

The AA took an hour[understandable I guess at busy times].
Diagnosis is a likely "the fuel pump has gone".
Car couldnt go anywhere.

Thankfully a young driver stopped and helped me. She lived locally. She risked herself, and her car.
Will be sending the family[longer story to how they helped me] a gift.

The reasons for writing this thread are

I did not have a warning triangle. Bit dangerous to have got out of car and positioned it[I was on a steep hill, wasnt 100% the handbrake was going to hold[it did]], but I probably would have done.

I did not have high viz. I should have done.
I did have coats. Two navy ones. No use at all in the darkness.

I will be getting both things. Plus a torch.
I will be putting all 3 inside the car[assuming the triangle would fit?].
There was no way I was going out to the boot of the car, and scrabbling around in the back of the boot for said items. Too dangerous.
I have learnt some lessons.

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