Timing really can't get any worse than this.
Data released today by AA Rescue shows that over 1,300 people contacted the breakdown assistance service last year after their car broke down when they needed to get to hospital.
Not only were hundreds of people waylaid in emergency situations, but no fewer than 21 breakdowns occurred while a passenger was en route to hospital to give birth.
Thankfully, AA were able to confirm that their staff have not been called into action as emergency midwives just yet, but there have been a few close calls.
Conor Faughnan, AA Director of Consumer Affairs said: "Last year alone we dealt with 1,302 breakdowns where either the motorist needed to get to hospital or they were escorting someone who needed treatment. Car breakdowns are never an enjoyable experience, but in a case of Murphy’s Law you can almost guarantee that they will happen at the most inconvenient time.
"It’s important, particularly during the winter months where some motoring issues such as old or defective batteries can be magnified, that people stay on top of their car maintenance to help reduce the risk of a winter breakdown."
Similarly, though perhaps not quite so seriously, the AA was called out to almost 1,000 breakdowns involving someone about to travel abroad.
