In the future when I have my own car, should I carry a hammer for this reason?

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Oh and as far as general car safety goes I would also suggest a zip seal bag in your side door or behind seat pocket with high-vis jackets (as many as you expect to have people in your car), a torch, some sweets, an emergency blanket and contact numbers for things like a recovery vehicle and an emergency contact for you (like mum or dad). In your boot keep some water, emergency snacks (like cereal bars) and a first aid kit.
That will keep you covered for things like if you break down on the motorway or come across and accident.

Reply 21

IWMTom

The headrest is designed to break the glass, as previously mentioned.

Reply 22

-Eirlys-

Debate & Current Affairs Helper

But I would say that if you can move around in the car, with no injuries and the car isn't crushed, then the crash would probably be minor... so you could just open the door?

Original post by Synchronise

Which is why I said providing I can still move around in the car.

Reply 23

happydirtysoul

Definitely buy a diamond tipped hammer, you can get them online (maybe eBay or Amazon) for really cheap too!

Reply 24

LRxS

I’m 17, passed 5 months ago and had my own car since then, this is my advice!

An actual hammer is probably a hazard in the event of a crash, but you can get special, safe tools for smashing windows in the event of an accident. I have one in my car, and a pair of seatbelt scissors. I keep both in my drivers side door pocket.

I also have in my car boot:
• a hi-vis jacket
• a warning triangle
• blankets (in case of getting stuck somewhere for ages)
• a torch
• a first aid kit
• a shovel (for mud/snow).

Reply 25

James2138

Original post by Synchronise

I'm looking to learn to drive next year, then hopefully save up and buy my own car. I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to carry a hammer in the car for in case I crash and get trapped and can't break the windows to get out?

It's just I've read horror stories of people crashing their cars, seem unharmed to begin with but then find they can't easily escape, then the car starts burning, they get cooked alive and when the emergency services finally arrived, they are dealing with someone with full body burns.

But providing I can still move around in the car depending on the severity of the crash, if I had a hammer, I could easily escape without risking lacerating my hands from punching the glass with my bare hands.

If in ordinary car use, the police wanted to check my car for whatever reason, what's the chances they'll tell me I can't have a hammer in my car because it's an offensive weapon and refuse to accept it have it to aid escape in an emergency?

Be like Jeremy Clarkson...

A hammer fixes everything...

Especially the brake lights (Remember dat Porsche!!)

Reply 26

FireSt0rm

You can take out the head rest and use them to smash the window. One of the prongs with have a pointy end :wink:

Reply 27

Epitype

Use the ceramic from spark plugs, they shatter glass easily.

Reply 28

FireSt0rm

Original post by Epitype

Use the ceramic from spark plugs, they shatter glass easily.

So, I'll get out the car open the bonnet get back in, them smash the window and get out?

Seems to fit :colonhash:

Reply 29

Epitype

Original post by FireSt0rm

So, I'll get out the car open the bonnet get back in, them smash the window and get out?

Seems to fit :colonhash:

Or maybe keep some spark plug ceramic in your car?
Come on.

Reply 30

FireSt0rm

Original post by Epitype

Or maybe keep some spark plug ceramic in your car?
Come on.

Ahh oki, most people do have that lying around their car anyway

Reply 31

Epitype

Original post by FireSt0rm

Ahh oki, most people do have that lying around their car anyway

In a similar way that people have a hammer lying around in their car...
Just smash some and keep it in the glovebox. It's not so hard.

Reply 32

IamJacksContempt

Yes you'll need it to beat the crap out of the occasional BMW driver who will tailgate you

Reply 33

Joinedup

yeah get a car safety hammer with a bracket to fix it... literally 2-4 quid from the internet these days
a loose hammer from B&Q will go flying around the passenger compartment during a serious crash, it'll either smash your teeth in or get lost somewhere you can't reach it.

Reply 34

PeppyITS

As long as you don't have perspex windows and there isn't a fire in the car, you should be able to kick the windows out in the case of an emergency. Kicking the corners of the glass with a full leg kick is your best bet in that situation. If you do decide to go with a hammer, then like people have previously suggested on this thread, get a specialised one for breaking windows (like the ones you find on London buses) - if you get stopped by the police for any reason, the intention of you having a hammer in your car will be clearer (rather than them thinking it's a weapon). Additionally, with safety being the main concern, try to keep the hammer in a place that you'll be able to get to easily if you do have an accident. If this means mounting it to your door or driver foot-well, then do so. In conclusion, drive safely and hopefully you'll never have to use such measures, but it's better to be safe rather than to be sorry! :smile:

Reply 35

DeclanGCSEs

The head rest in the car is designed to be able to smash out a window.

Reply 36

Joinedup

Original post by DeclanGCSEs

The head rest in the car is designed to be able to smash out a window.

Apparently not, you might be able to break a window with one but they can also be difficult to get out of the seat back unless you recline the seat first due to restricted headroom.

Reply 37

Synchronise

Original post by Joinedup

Apparently not, you might be able to break a window with one but they can also be difficult to get out of the seat back unless you recline the seat first due to restricted headroom.

And if the car is rapidly catching fire, I don't want to be wasting precious time trying to detach a head rest when it's much quicker to hit the window with a hammer. :nope:

Reply 38

mphysical

Original post by Synchronise

And if the car is rapidly catching fire, I don't want to be wasting precious time trying to detach a head rest when it's much quicker to hit the window with a hammer. :nope:

You need to stop believing action films and TV. Statistically fires from collision are rare.