Winter Breakdown Chaos: RAC Hits Record 12,000 Calls in One Day!
The UK is freezing hard, and the RAC is slammed like never before. Yesterday saw a staggering 12,000 breakdowns – that’s eight calls every single minute. Spokesperson Rod Dennis revealed this is the worst day for vehicle trouble they’ve ever faced, even beating the Beast from the East crisis in 2018.
Record-Breaking Breakdown Surge
“Yesterday was officially our busiest day for breakdowns on record,” said Rod Dennis. “Even during the Beast from the East, we didn’t see numbers like this.” The perfect storm? A long cold spell without enough snow to keep drivers off the roads, coupled with rising vehicle maintenance costs thanks to the pandemic and cost-of-living squeeze.
Roads Remain Treacherous – Drivers Beware
The chill isn’t letting up. After a hard overnight refreeze, icy roads are a nightmare, especially on rural routes that haven’t been gritted. The RAC warns drivers to take extreme care, consider delaying trips, or even scrap non-essential journeys.
- Give yourself extra time to de-ice and clear your car
- Maintain longer distances from other vehicles
- Drive slowly to avoid crashes
Essential Winter Survival Kit
Stuck for eight hours on the M25? That’s the grim reality some drivers faced yesterday. Dennis urges all drivers to carry a proper winter emergency kit including:
- Warm layers and a waterproof jacket
- A blanket
- Sturdy footwear
- A flask of hot drink
- A phone power bank
“If you’re still debating whether it’s worth it to have these items with you, think about those stranded on the M25 overnight,” Dennis added.
