The SAS Survival Driver’s Handbook. John Wiseman

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      Tow rope: with fixings that connect easily to the towing eyes on the car

       MEDICAL KIT

      This should be packed in a soft container so it can be carried inside the car without fear of causing damage in an accident. The best type of pack is one that doubles as a cushion. It can then be left on the back seat where it will always be at hand. Don’t stowing the medical kit in the luggage compartment — in an emergency you want it to be immediately accessible.

      Typical travellers’ ailments include motion sickness, upset stomach, and headaches. Bee stings and sunburn are common summer-time problems. Cuts and burns can easily occur when you’re having a go at fixing the car, and fingers, especially those of children, too frequently get trapped in doors. To cover all of these emergencies pack:

      Motion tablets (travel sickness)

      Immodium (upset stomach)

      Analgesic (aches and pains)

      Antihistamine ointment (stings)

      Flamazine (burns including sunburn)

      Scissors

      Tape

      Burn sheet

      Plasters (minor cuts/abrasions)

      Assorted bandages

      Large sterile dressings

      Lip balm to prevent chapped lips

       COLD WEATHER KIT

      In cold weather add sleeping bags, food, thermos flask, extra clothing, shovel, Wellington boots, snow chains, sacking, matches and candles. See Winter Motoring Survival Kit in Bad-Weather Driving for a full listing of items to help you when driving in freezing conditions.

       OTHER NECESSITIES

      In addition to the survival kit, every vehicle should have as many as possible of the following:

      • road atlas

      • handbook for the make and model of vehicle

      • fire extinguisher (can be stowed conveniently under a seat)

      • blanket to keep you warm in emergencies (can be laid over the back seat)

      • mobile phone — a life saver, especially for vulnerable drivers travelling alone

      • a card listing emergency numbers — such as your garage, insurance company, motoring organization helpline, etc — can be tucked away behind a sun visor.

      • sunglasses — useful in winter, too, for reducing the sun’s dazzle

      • packet of mints, chewing gum, or boiled sweets — these not only help to pass the time, but can sharpen concentration also

      • bottle of water — to quench thirst, wash wounds, or clean sticky fingers

      • small change for parking or tolls — keep in an accessible place to prevent delays or embarrassment. There is nothing worse than finding out too late that you have no cash

      • clean chamois leather and window scraper

      • a large piece of card, blank on one side, with ‘PLEASE CALL POLICE’ on the other. You can then place this in the rear window as a sun shade when the car is parked in sun, and to alert other drivers to summon help in an emergency.

      • a pen and paper to take down details in the event of an accident

      As time goes by, you will think of other essential items to add to this list. But remember, a survival kit is only of use if you can find everything in an emergency. Keep it organized!

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       SAFE DRIVING

      Six accidents occur every minute on our roads, resulting in injury, loss of life and 3.2 million insurance claims a year. It’s no wonder that safety features get top billing in car manufacturers’ advertising campaigns. But over 90 per cent of road accidents are down to driver error — so look into ways of improving your own safety rating as well as your car’s.

       SAFE CAR

       • Accident prevention:

       •Mirrors

       • Lights

       • Horn

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