Roadside breakdowns jump 10% over hot weekend; More expected this week

The ANWB has had a “hot and busy weekend” with about 10 percent more breakdowns per day. The roadside assistance service also expects to be busy on Monday and for the rest of the week due to the high temperatures. It has scaled up staffing levels nationwide, a spokesperson said.

The ANWB expects 4,200 breakdowns on Monday, compared to the typical number of around 3,600.

Due to the warm weather, the roadside assistance service is seeing many broken batteries, which don’t tolerate extreme temperatures well. It has also helped many people with overheated cars and damaged tyres.

The ANWB advised road users to take plenty of food and water with them, and an umbrella for shade if they end up next to the road with a breakdown.

Working during these hot days is also “high-performance” for the roadside assistance workers, the ANWB said. “They are advised to drink enough, apply sunscreen thoroughly, and, if possible, provide assistance out of direct sunlight.”

The ANWB also has several other tips for taking to the road on a hot day. It advises motorists to open the windows and doors briefly before departure so that the worst of the heat can escape the car. And use the air conditioning wisely - don’t set it more than 6 degrees lower than the outside temperature to prevent health problems. The ANWB also recommends checking the coolant level before departure. “A properly filled system prevents the engine from overheating.