Kwik-Fit Bank Holiday Checks

With the AA’s roadside patrols affected by strike action this coming bank holiday, Kwik-Fit is offering a free pre-holiday travel check to AA members who are concerned about the lack of breakdown cover.

The May Day bank holiday is one of the busiest weekends of the year on the road and the AA would normally deal with an estimated 40,000 breakdowns over the weekend. This year, with many of its patrolmen on strike, waits at the roadside could be very lengthy.

However, Kwik-Fit advises that many of those breakdowns could be avoided completely with some advance planning, as two of the most common reasons for drivers to call out a recovery vehicle are for flat batteries and tyre or wheel problems.

David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit, said: "Batteries and tyres are areas where some pre-travel checks could easily prevent problems on the road.

"As well as the four main tyres, drivers shouldn’t forget the spare as often patrolmen are called out when a car has a puncture but the spare is found to be unusable. Drivers should check the tread and pressure of the spare as well, and make sure they have the right tools with them.

"Coolant, oil and other fluids should all be checked before departure. Warm weather and busy roads are forecast for the bank holiday weekend, so engines will be working hard. Checking fluids before travelling will help minimise any chance of disruption and a long wait on the hard shoulder.

"For AA members, or any driver who is unsure about what to look for, Kwik-Fit is offering free pre-holiday travel checks to highlight any potential faults."

He added: "This enables drivers to get problems rectified before heading off for the bank holiday, instead of discovering them when it’s too late - and they’re stuck at the side of the motorway."

Motorists wishing to take advantage of a free pre-holiday travel check at Kwik-Fit should visit their local centre, where no appointment is necessary.

(PR)