Scared to drive on my own, long distances in the dark

[muchlovex]

I broke down last week on my way home from work and I had quite a traumatic experience with Greenflag. (see my earlier post re Green Flag)

My car has been fixed and I have now joined the AA, but now I am dreading driving home at 7:30pm in the dark.

Any advice on how to keep calm in such stressful situations, if I were to breakdown, or even just overcome my fear.

Thank you,
anxious muchlovex

[Count-A-Strong]

can't seem to find your previous post. Could you provide a link?

[muchlovex]

Type Your Answer Here...Hi, Count.
here's the link http://www.theanswerb...g/Question982238.html

[sara3]

top tip, make sure your car is road worthy. you were carrying coolant, which would indicate that you knew there was a problem.

second, look out for landmarks/road signs on your journeys. no car recovery firm will guarantee to find you when you don't know where you are.

I had a terrible experience with the AA when I was very young, and would never go back to them.. but I'm sure they've improved since then. I've used Green Flag and not had a problem. have you made a complaint?

[milly143]

I don't think you have too much to worry about, although I can see why you might be anxious.

I would just suggest you make sure you have some essentials in the car. Bottles of water, spare jacket, torch and make sure you have a car charger for your mobile, or make sure you mobile is charged at all times.

[sara3]

and make sure your phone battery is fully charged.. otherwise you'd be in bigger trouble!

[jackthehat]

Have you taken much interest in your route home ?
Have you explored other possible routes ?
Getting yourself a 'back-up' plan can make you feel less nervous.

Soothing music to listen to, a boiled sweet to suck, fully-charged mobile 'phone, a book to read, a torch/lamp (with batteries)...........anything that stops you feeling anxious should help you.

[Count-A-Strong]

I think the chances of something like that happening again are pretty remote.

[muchlovex]

Hi Sara. Yes good idea. I'll make sure I have a map with me of my route home.

Re the Coolant in my boot - that was complete luck that I had that in the boot.

I've written an email of complaint and sent it to the email address they provided on their Customer Complaints section of their website. This was sent on Friday afternoon. Will let you know when I receive a response.

[muchlovex]

Thank you all for your kind suggestions.

[tamborine]

I use AA, they can be text so keep your mobile charged. Always say you're lone female & get urgent attention. Breaking down is a hazard of driving but find somewhere safe outside your car on motorways.

My car has a scream alarm set off from key fob, v.useful.

[The-HouseHusband]

Have your car fully checked and get a service done if you can afford to, if you have a decent garage then they will do a good job and this should give you some peace of mind and make you feel more comfortable with your cars reliability.

If the worst should happen and you break down again try and stay calm, the AA and RAC are able to use the signal from a mobile to get a rough location so any extra info you give them narrows down the area they are looking in. 90% of AA patrols are owned by the AA opposed to green flag who subcontract around 90% of their patrols, therefore you are more likely to be reached under the magic hour.

[Andyvon]

Was it you who broke down on the A27 near Bournemouth Muchlovex? I'm pleased it's sorted.

If you want to have confidence in your car then you should make sure it's regularly serviced and maintained. I often travel that road in my 1984 Golf which has over 250,000 miles on the clock now and it's pretty lonely through the New Forest near Rufus Stone. However, I service the car every 2000 miles and often renew parts as a matter of course so I know I can trust the car. It's been all round France and the UK and in 24 years it's let me down once.

If you have a husband/boyfriend/brother/neighbour who is prepared to keep a regular check on the car then you should be able to drive anywhere with confidence. It also helps if they are prepared to come out with a toolbox if something goes wrong so make sure you have your phone and their numbers at all times.

Failing that, pay have your car fully serviced by a garage and get them to change all the fuel lines and water hoses so you know everything is new. Cars cost money if you don't look after them yourself and there's no cheap way around that I'm afraid.

You've also done the right thing by joining the AA. However, always be aware of where you are at any time so if you do break down the recovery services can come straight to you. Roads like the A27 have distance markers every 100m (those pegs with numbers on) which enable the services to locate you exactly, even on the darkest of nights. Always carry a wind-up torch too, not a battery-powered one.

Good luck.

[chas2008]

I believe the AA give priority to lone women..

[stoofur]

What about getting a GPS? This will tell you where you are which you can then relay to the breakdown service.

[Andyvon]

Alternatively, get a road atlas. One of the disadvantages of GPS is that people slavishly follow the directions without taking any notice of where they are heading or even where they are. At least by being aware of the road number they are on and the towns being passed a driver can use a road atlas to give a very good idea of where they are.

[welshlibranr]

Not easy,I know, but at the end of the day, you need to do it, you have AA cover now, so you'll be fine!.........the car is repaired, and if it does break down again, the AA will be there for you!.............No need to stress, just get out there and do it!...sooner the better!...........

[KJN]

Yep I agree with stoofur a GPS, fully charged mobile phone and a sticker on the windscreen showing the AA breakdown telephone number, the confidence will return, it is similar to when you have an accident however small you feel insecure for a while when driving , your fears will soon be overcome, if we are truthful we have all been down this road.