Always lock your vehicle on entering, especially in slow moving traffic. Keep handbags, briefcases, etc. out of sight to avoid them being snatched by opportunists. Traffic light robberies have increased in recent years.

When parking in a public place do not leave valuables or personal belongings in view inside the vehicle, place items in the boot or inside locking glove boxes.

Ensure that your vehicle is always locked, even when leaving the vehicle unattended to pay for fuel.

Ensure that your vehicle is secured with approved security devices (call RAC Technical Advice for information about approved devices and installers).

Have your car keys ready so as to get into the vehicle and check the interior before entering, including the back seats.

To avoid unnecessary breakdowns make sure that your car is well maintained. Regular maintenance may highlight a problem developing in its early stages thus preventing a breakdown situation.

Check your vehicle has sufficient fuel and oil, has correct tyre pressures and that your tyres are in good condition.

If your vehicle has a problem on a motorway, try to drive as close to an emergency telephone box as possible. These are usually one mile apart. All emergency boxes will transfer your call to RAC. Put your hazard lights on.

Park well over on the hard shoulder. If you are travelling alone, lock all your doors, apart from the passenger door and use the passenger door to exit your vehicle.

Keep a warm coat, blanket and walking shoes in the vehicle.

If you need to walk to the telephone box, remember that the arrows on the marker posts point to the nearest one. You don't need money to make the call and you will be put through to the police control who will take your details before transferring your call. If you are alone let the operator know.

When you have made your emergency call, if weather conditions permit, stand or sit on the motorway embankment. The main danger is from passing traffic.

If you are alone in your vehicle and an unidentified vehicle pulls up, immediately get into your car and lock the passenger door.

It is illegal for anyone to stop on the motorway to offer assistance. Ask anyone that stops to offer assistance to contact the appropriate emergency service, rather than assist personally.

Never pick up hitchhikers.

If possible drive on to a well lit area where there may be a telephone.

If you breakdown in a dark place ensure your hazard lights are on.

A mobile phone is invaluable if you regularly travel at night. Mobile phones can be quite cheap to run if used as an emergency phone, so they may be worth considering for regular travel.

When making a call for help, make it clear you are alone and ask for advice on what to do next.

Remember street names, landmarks, pub names to assist the RAC locating your vehicle.

Carry a hand torch in your vehicle. A personal alarm could also be a useful accessory.

Ensure that the guidelines in the RAC Child Seat Safety leaflet are followed.

Try not to overheat the car interior as it may become too warm and cause fatigue or motion sickness. It is better to keep additional clothing or a car blanket inside your vehicle. On long journeys make sure you take regular breaks.

In the summer, if stick on sun blinds are used to protect children or other passengers from sunlight, do ensure that they are not used on the wind screen or front side windows which would obscure drivers' vision.

Do not place a rearward facing child seat on the front passenger seat if an airbag is fitted.

A recent RAC survey on road rage found that more than half of drivers had been sworn at, more than two thirds had been the target of abusive hand signals, 600,000 had been attacked or punched and over a million drivers had been rammed by another car.

To avoid a potential incident do not get defensive with another driver if they are angered by a driving error. Acknowledge your mistake with a wave or say sorry.

Do not lose your temper. Returning verbal abuse or threatening gestures will only make things worse. Avoid eye contact. It may defuse the situation.

If you are followed, make your way to a highly populated area and sound your horn or flash your lights to attract attention.

Don't rise to any challenges while you are driving, drive at the correct speed limit and don't be distracted. Some people have been known to point to imaginary faults on a vehicle, you should ignore them and check later in a safe place.

If you are forced off the road by another vehicle lock all doors and do not leave your vehicle. If possible drive on as soon as possible.

Report any road rage incidents to the police, giving as much information as possible.

If you see another driver in difficulty, drive on and report it by telephone as soon as you are able. Do not stop to offer assistance.