We've all seen it in the movies: attractive young woman drives along a dark country road at night. She's alone and it's raining. Suddenly the engine splutters, the car slows and grinds to a halt. Steam hisses from the radiator. Attractive young woman flips the bonnet and gets out to take a look. Cue scary music and piercing scream, but real life isn't a Hollywood movie (unless you're Paris Hilton) and driving needn't be a nightmare (ditto) - most of us, at some time, will experience a car breakdown. By following a few simple rules you can take control of the situation. Here's our essential guide to what every woman should know:

Breaking down on a motorway
Pull off the motorway at the next junction and stop in a safe place if possible - a petrol-station forecourt or well-lit residential street would be ideal. If the car has made the decision for you, switch on your hazard lights and pull on to the hard shoulder as soon as you can. If you're stranded in the middle of the carriageway, switch on your hazards and only leave the vehicle when you're sure it's safe to cross to the hard shoulder.

When visibility is poor, use your sidelights too. Turn the wheels to the left, pointing away from passing traffic and get out of the car on the passenger's side. Lock the doors but leave the passenger door open. If you feel threatened by anyone stopping, get back in and lock the doors. Only get out again when you feel safe. Do not be tempted to stay in the car on the hard shoulder - even if it's bucketing down and it means messing up your new 'Pob'.

Look for the nearest emergency phone. You'll find them situated at one mile intervals along the hard shoulder. These are free to use and connect directly to a police control centre. Marker posts will guide you to the nearest one. Each location is numbered so you can easily be found. If anyone stops to help, be sure to give the police their description and registration number for safety. If you're a woman travelling alone you'll be given priority. Never attempt to cross the motorway in search of a phone.

For safety and speed, the police prefer drivers to use the emergency phones but if you do use your mobile to contact a breakdown rescue provider, make sure you can give the call-centre your location. Using new technology, some companies can pinpoint your whereabouts by tracking the signal from your phone.

Do not be tempted to fix the car yourself. It may be true nowadays that most of us girls are as well-informed about under-bonnet activity as our partners, but forget the Lara Croft act and call the professionals. On a busy road, it's far safer.

When you've phoned for help, grab a coat or blanket (if it's cold) and something reflective - hardly a fashion statement but it may save your life. Then take your mobile phone, a torch if it's dark, and walk up the bank. Wait behind the barrier if possible.

Children should also get out of the car and stay by your side. But pets should remain inside - you really don't want to be chasing Fido along the central reservation. Anyone with mobility problems should wait in the car too, with their seatbelt fastened and the doors locked.

Do not use a warning triangle on the motorway - it's too dangerous. And when the breakdown services arrive, ask for ID. They should know your name.

If the car's fixed and you're back on the road, gradually build up speed on the hard shoulder (looking out for any stationary vehicles) and wait for a safe gap in the traffic before heading back on to the carriageway.

Breaking down on other roads
General motorway rules apply here too, with a few slight differences:
Avoid stopping in a dangerous place (on a roundabout, corner or the brow of a hill), and drive on to a well-lit area. If that's not an option, pull off the road and switch your hazard lights on. When it's dark, use your sidelights as well.

If there's any danger of your car being hit by passing traffic, get the passengers out of the vehicle and stand well back. As with motorways, take the appropriate clothing and bottled water if it's hot - you may be there a while. If the vehicle is off the road, it might be safer and warmer to stay inside.

Use your mobile to ring for breakdown assistance. Look for nearby road signs and use a map to pinpoint your location.

Stand a warning triangle at least 45m behind your car. It'll help the breakdown services see you and warn other drivers you're there.

Only attempt to fix the car if you think it's safe to do so.

The essential car breakdown kit

• Mobile phone ? make sure it's charged!
• Breakdown cover membership card
• Map
• Money - you may need it for a payphone
• Torch and spare batteries
• Empty petrol can - if you run out of fuel, this can be filled at the nearest garage
• Warning triangle
• Warm clothes, blanket and umbrella
• Reflective jacket or vest
• Bottled water