16 Dec 2018
Posted by Barry Aldworth 
Over 60% of motorists admit to being more concerned about a car breakdown and having to attempt roadside repairs during the winter months, according to a recent survey from AA Ireland.
When asked about how confident they would be carrying out car repairs at the roadside during winter, 63.31% of respondents admitted they would be significantly more nervous due to the risk of carrying out the works in darkness or unsettled weather conditions. Meanwhile, a further 22.91% of those stated that the increased risk of having to attempt repairs in darkness or poor weather left them somewhat more nervous.
“Car breakdowns are almost an unavoidable part of motoring life and you can almost be guaranteed that if your car does breakdown it will come at the most inconvenient time, such as when you’re trying to travel cross-country with the kids to make it to their grandparent’s house in time for Christmas dinner. For this reason, particularly with the hectic Christmas season in mind where attempting roadside repairs can be made more difficult by large traffic volumes and poor weather conditions, it’s important that motorists think ahead and have a breakdown plan in place,” Conor Faughnan, AA Director of Consumer Affairs stated. “Even if you know what you’re doing, attempting repairs at the roadside can be very dangerous so where possible it tends to be safer to seek the assistance of a professional. Be it our AA Rescue team, who will be available 24/7 including Christmas Day, or your local mechanic, a professional is going to be better equipped to carry out their repairs in a safe and efficient manner.”
The survey found that increased levels of concern surround the risk of breakdown during the winter months were highest among women, with 71.84% of female respondents stating they are significantly more concerned about attempting any kind of roadside repairs during the winter months. Similarly, over 76% of those aged 65 or older admitted that they would be less confident in undertaking any car repairs during the weeks and months ahead.
“Breakdowns are an inconvenience for us all regardless of our age or gender, but for more vulnerable motorists they can be a major cause of concern – especially if you are lacking the knowledge to carry out basic repairs such as a tyre change,” Faughnan added. “Beyond knowing who you could contact for assistance, we would encourage all motorists plan ahead and think of what they may require in the event of a breakdown. For example, if you have specific medication that you need to take at regular intervals, then keeping a supply of these in the car can be beneficial so that a temporary inconvenience, such as a breakdown, doesn’t put your health at risk.”
