4 Ways To Keep Safe When Facing A Vehicle Emergency
If your vehicle has started to malfunction and you will need a tow, there are steps you can take to keep you and your car as safe as possible while you wait for assistance.
1. Take Action Right Away
If you notice your vehicle is acting up, for example, you feel the thump from a flat tire, begin to see steam rising from under the hood, or notice that your vehicle is not handling right, you need to start thinking ahead quickly. Slow your vehicle down and start moving to the side of the road. If you are on a multi-lane road, work to get to the outermost lane. If you are on a single-lane road, get to the side of the road, or look for a place within a short distance where you can pull off the road completely. Get as far away from the road as you can and avoid breaking down in the roadway as best you can.
2. Be Strategic About Where You Stop
When you bring your vehicle to a stop, be as strategic as you can about it. Don't stop, if possible, on a curve or corner, both of which reduce your visibility to other drivers and put your safety at risk. Avoid getting stopped on a left shoulder on a highway, as you will not be able to get out of your vehicle safely. Try to get as far away from traffic as possible.
3. Make Yourself Visible
Next, you are going to want to make yourself visible. Immediately turn on your hazard lights as soon as you know you are in trouble and keep them on when your vehicle is parked. If your car has any triangles, safety cones, or flares in the trunk, bring them out. Place them behind your vehicle so that approaching vehicles will see the safety devices and know to be cautious of you and of your car as they pass.
If you are broken down at night, you may want to leave your lights on. You can even pop the hood to show that your vehicle is broken down visually. The more visible you are, the less likely it is that someone will hit your vehicle and compromise your safety.
4. Call for Help
Once you are safely off the road, it is time to call for help. Call a 24/7 towing service, which under most normal circumstances should be able to have someone to you within an hour or so. If there are hazardous driving conditions that day or rush hour, it could take a little longer for help to get to you. You want to contact them as soon as possible to minimize the time you and your vehicle are on the side of the road. Provide them with as detailed information as possible about where you are located so they can quickly find you.
When it comes to breaking down in your vehicle, the key is to get your vehicle to the side of the road as quickly as possible. From there, you are going to want to make your vehicle visible and call for help. Often, it is safest to stay inside your car. Don't stand near the road; protect yourself from other drivers while you wait for your tow truck to arrive.
For more information contact a company like CA Towing Service.
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