New research has found that most Irish motorists do not have the staples of a winter emergency kit in their car.
Only 43 per cent of drivers have a warning triangle, with only the same percentage having a high-viz vest.
One in five (22 per cent) have a blanket in their car, while even less (14 per cent) have a spare container of anti-freeze, and less than half have a torch (40 per cent), jump leads (31 per cent), or a spare bottle of water (28 per cent).
While most drivers (74 per cent) claim to have a mobile phone in the car, six per cent of respondents to the survey said that they do not have any of these.
This is according to the findings of a new survey by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva), which examined how prepared motorists are in the event of breakdown when driving, and where they may become an ‘unintended pedestrian’ on the road.
The research also found that more than half of drivers do not have equipment in their car which could prove vital if they become unintended pedestrians, regardless of the time of year.
The Aviva survey also found that:
- Those aged 55+ are more likely to carry safety equipment in their car, with higher percentages having a mobile phone, high-viz vest, warning triangle, torch, first aid kit and an ice scraper;
- Female respondents to the survey were more likely to carry a mobile phone (80 per cent v’s 68 per cent) with them when driving, men are more likely than women to carry safety equipment in their cars;
- Survey respondents aged 18-34 were the least likely to carry safety equipment in their cars;
- The top five most likely things drivers have in car which would prove useful in the event of a breakdown or if they become an unintended pedestrian are mobile phones (74 per cent), high-vis vests (43 per cent), warning triangles (43 per cent) and first aid kit (41 per cent).
- The least likely things they will have in their car in this regard are fire extinguishers (13 per cent) and a container of antifreeze (14 per cent).
Motor product manager at Aviva, Alan Behan, said: “Typically, it is in the winter that some of the worst weather is thrown at us – including floods, ice, snow, and freezing temperatures.
"Having a winter emergency kit in your car could be a lifesaver if you’re stranded or face a break down during the coldest and most inclement months of the year.
"This kit should include items like a warning triangle, a high-viz vest, a blanket, extra clothing, a shovel, jump leads, a torch, snacks, and spare anti-freeze. It is worrying that most drivers don’t have most, if any of these things in their car.
“In France, it is illegal to drive a car unless you have a warning triangle and high-vis vest in it – yet here in Ireland, it’s very much the luck of the draw as to whether these items are in a driver’s car.
"There is a strong argument for it to become mandatory in Ireland for drivers to have these items in their car at all times.
"In the event of a breakdown or collision, these items could save the lives of the unintended pedestrian and indeed others on the road at that time. The absence of these items could unfortunately result in a serious accident."