If you regularly drive your car at night or if you intend to take a long road trip which will require you to travel overnight, it's important to ensure that you are properly prepared for a night-time breakdown, so that this experience is as simple and stress-free as possible.

Pack the right supplies

There are a number of risks associated with breaking down at night. For example, even in hot climates, temperatures tend to drop quite low after sun set. If you have to wait a while for your 24 hour towing service to arrive, and your vehicle's heating system isn't working, there is a chance that you could develop hypothermia, or even frostbite, depending on how cold it is outside.

As such, it's crucial to ensure that you pack a foil thermal blanket, to help you retain body heat, as well as a thick pair of gloves and extra socks, to protect your fingers and toes from frostbite.

Due to the darkness, you could also be at risk of being hit by another road user. You should not assume that you will be able to use your vehicle's lights to make yourself visible, as your breakdown might involve a dead battery, which could affect the electrics in your car.

As such, you will need to keep a few items in your boot that will make it easier for passing road users to see (and thus avoid hitting) your vehicle. An emergency triangle, along with a flashlight should be enough to make you and your vehicle visible to other drivers.

Don't assume that you'll be rescued by another driver

If your car breaks down at night, it is quite possible that there will be very few other drivers on the road who could potentially assist you. As such, it's important not to assume that you'll be rescued by a kind-hearted passerby. Instead, you should make sure that you are able to get in touch with a 24 hour towing company so that you don't end up stuck on the side of the road until the following day.

Jot down the contact details of your chosen towing service and keep this information in a safe, easy-to-access part of your car. Additionally, consider leaving a portable phone charger in your vehicle at all times too; this will ensure that you won't be prevented from calling a tow truck by a dead phone battery.