More than 700 drivers have broken down on the M4 this month, prompting guidance being published on what motorists can do to prevent the chance of it happening to them.
Traffic Wales have stated that 708 cars have broken down along the busy stretch of the motorway in May alone.
The Welsh Government agency has now put forward advice on what people can do to make sure their cars are kept in good order. You can get stories like this straight to your inbox with our newsletters.
READ MORE: Expert says call for maximum driving age in UK is 'alienating'
Traffic Wales wrote: "Not all, but most, could have been avoided. Breaking down is never a pleasant experience – Keeping your vehicle well-maintained will help keep you and others safe on the road."
It has produced a checklist of seven things with the acronym Flowers to remind people what to be mindful of. It stands for Fuel. Lights. Oil. Water. Electrics. Rubber. Self.
It advises you should plan ahead so that you do not have to fiddle with maps and GPS units, and check the latest traffic information to avoid overcrowding at busy spots.
It says you should also follow the two second rule, writing on its website: "No one likes it when people tailgate and it’s for a good reason. Especially at speed, you need to ensure you have a safe stopping distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.
"Road speed limits are for safe driving under ideal conditions. In case of fog, rain, snow and so on you have to use common sense and make adjustments. In these situations you should reduce your speed below the speed limit and maintain longer gaps between yourself and the vehicle in front of you as the time for your vehicle to come to a stop in these conditions will increase. It’s also another reason to make sure that your vehicle is roadworthy as simple things like window wipers can be a major problem if they’re not working properly in heavy rain."
Traffic Wales also advises that you are patient and courteous to other road users.
It writes on its website: "When it comes to driving, over confidence can be a killer. If you’re stuck behind a slow vehicle or a cyclist it can be very frustrating, but if in doubt, don’t overtake. Wait for a safe opportunity before you pull out and when overtaking a cyclist leave at least a 1.5m space when passing."
