Visibility comes first
Hi-vis vest in the door pocket, not the boot — put it on before you get out on a live carriageway. Warning triangle 45 metres behind on non-motorway roads.
Assume a long wait
Recovery times stretch in bad weather. Thermal blankets, a spare coat, water and snacks make a two-hour wait manageable.
Solve the most likely fault
Flat batteries are the single most common breakdown cause. A charged jump starter in the boot removes the dependency on a passing motorist.