No matter how good a driver you are – or think you are – accidents will always happen. And, when they do, it is always good to know that you have the ability to give someone a call for assistance. Here are seven numbers every driver should have in their phone – and why. Your ICE numbers ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. They aren’t for you, but if you were to have a crash, the emergency services would be able to use them to contact your loved ones. As grim as it sounds, they can be vital – your spouse will be able to tell doctors about any medicine you might be on, for example. It’s easy to set up – just list your nearest and dearest with ICE in front of their names. Some phones even allow you to access ICE numbers when the screen is locked. Emergency Numbers Everyone knows to call 999 of course – or, at least, they should do. But, you should also have the alternatives for non-emergencies or less severe problems. 112 or 101, for example, will get you through to the emergency services without adding unnecessary pressure on the 999 line. It’s up to you to decide which is the relevant number to use – but it is important to try and avoid 999 unless necessary. The local police number You should also have the number of your local police station on your phone. Whether you are in a crash or see one on the road, it is sometimes better to report direct than call 999. Use it when you have something to report, or if you need to let them know about something less severe. Your breakdown service Everyone breaks down at some point in their life – and it can be a troubling time. Make sure that you have your breakdown insurance number at hand so that you get the quickest possible service. There are no guarantees of speed, of course. However, all breakdown vehicles will let you know an approximation of how long they will take to get to your location. It might be a couple of hours, but at least you will know. Service providers Also, think about getting the numbers of local service providers into your phone. There are hundreds of things that can go wrong. You will want to know where you can order some cheap tyres to be driven out and fitted if you have a blowout, for example. And, you ought to find a service that will drain your car of petrol if you mistakenly put it in your diesel car. These unfortunate events happen a lot – and a little planning ahead can save you a significant wedge of money. It’s important to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after an accident. And, if you are waiting on the roadside for help, there’s no better time. In fact, some people recommend calling your insurance before calling the emergency services in some cases. A little hard if you are squashed in your car, but it’s a little insight into the fact you need to act quickly. RSPCA You only have to drive around the roads for a few minutes these days before you see roadkill. And, in certain parts of the country, it won’t just be foxes, pheasants, and badgers that you hit. Cats, dogs, and deer are all frequent victims on the road – and not all of them die straight away. If they are in pain, then you have a moral obligation to try and help. In some cases, you even have a legal obligation – you must contact the police if you hit a dog, for example. So, do the right thing, pull over somewhere safe, and call the RSPCA. The chances are, they will only put the animal out of their misery, but at least you will have done your bit. A locksmith Another big problem for motorists of all kinds of experience is leaving the keys in the car. It can be a nightmare scenario, especially if you are in the middle of nowhere at night. And, if you have young children in the vehicle, it can be incredibly scary to deal with. Make sure you have the number of a local locksmith – and a national number, too, if you are travelling. If you do all the research beforehand, you will have a reputable locksmith with you in no time. Again, don’t underestimate the importance of a locksmith – it happens a lot more often than you might think.