Essential Items Everyone Should Always Have in Their Vehicle

If you’re ever the optimist, planning for all eventualities may not be your idea of fun, specially when it comes to our cars. However, if you’re one of the 280.5 billion road users in the UK, it pays to be prepared! Whether you find yourself broken down by the side of the M1 or are unfortunate enough to be in an accident, you’ll thank yourself for being well equipped! 

To help you plan for all eventualities, here are some of the most important things to keep in your car. 

1. Maintenance and repair supplies 

Firstly, it’s important to keep handy anything that will help you repair your car, should the need arise. As well as an empty fuel can just in case, you should also keep a toolkit in your car. As part of your toolbox, you should try and have a collection of basic tools that can be used to help you repair your car.

As a minimum, you’ll want to ensure you have some screwdrivers, pliers, a hammer, a wrench and a mix of socket sets to help you carry out roadside repairs. That way, you won’t have to wait for hours for someone to rescue you! 

If you like to be extra prepared, it’s good practice to keep a spare tyre in your car just in case you get a puncture on your journey. 

1. Insurance and legal documents 

Although you’re not legally obliged to keep these documents in your car, doing so can save you time and hassle if you’re involved in an accident or end up being stopped by the police. Although unlikely, given that there are an estimated 119,850 people involved in a car accident each year, it pays to be prepared. 

1. Safety equipment 

As well as legal documents and a basic toolkit, you should also make sure you have some safety equipment on hand. This should include:

• A warning triangle – If you’ve broken down in the middle of the road, your car presents a huge hazard to other road users. By having a warning triangle, you can warn people of the danger, giving them ample time to react. 
• A first aid kit – If you’re injured in a road collision but not enough to warrant urgent medical attention, having a first aid kit can tide you over in the meantime. Most supplies can be picked up cheaply at a supermarket. 
• A hi-vis vest – Although not the most fashionable, hi-vis vests allow you to be seen in low light conditions. This may even save your life if you need to walk to safety on roads with little to no streetlight.  
• Snacks and drinking water – If you’re involved in an accident (or even just a traffic jam), having snacks and water can be a savior! 

So, what are you waiting for? If you haven’t already, it’s time to pack the boot full of some essentials!