Roadside Emergencies: Staying Safe

2 April 2015
 Categories: , Blog

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If you happen to find yourself stranded due to a broken down vehicle, flat tire, or other problem, it is extremely important that you stay safe while you wait for assistance. From other drivers who intend harm to potential accidents, waiting for help on the side of the road can be quite dangerous. Here are some things you can do to ensure you remain safe on the road.

Get Off the Road

As soon as you realize you've got a vehicle problem, you should either pull over to the side and park in the emergency lane, or get off the highway if at all possible. Veer over using your turn signal and put your hazard lights on. This will alert other drivers that you're experiencing a problem and they should let you get over. Go as far to the right into the emergency lane as you can, and leave the hazards lights on. Try to avoid stopping on a bridge or on a sharp corner or hill.

Stay Aware

Before you decide to hop out of the car, it's extremely important that you do not try to exit your vehicle while there is traffic whizzing by. In fact, it is often better to stay inside the vehicle, especially if you feel you've parked too close to other cars that are passing. If (and only if) you can safely get out of your car, use flares or orange triangles and place them near your car so people can easily see you. Another option is to open your hood and leave it open; this indicates to others there is a vehicle in trouble on the side of the road.

Get Help

You should immediately contact a roadside assistance company, or the local authorities. They will be able to help with things like changing a flat tire, finding an emergency tow like Larry Menz Towing Services Inc, or just bringing extra gasoline if you've run out. Make sure you can tell them where you are and what the situation is. In most cases, they can dispatch a tow truck to you fairly quickly and can give you an ETA. Be sure to provide them with your name and phone number in case they need to call you back for any reason. Then, stay in your car and remain calm until help arrives. Following these simple tips can help ensure you get home safely and get your car repaired to get back on the road another day.