Stay Safer With These 8 Tips When Your Car Breaks Down
Picture a scenario in which you hit a huge pothole and your tire blows out, or where your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere or on a highway. Your engine starts emitting smoke, you have no idea what the problem is, and the car starts emitting a burning smell. Well, such scenarios happen sometimes. Many drivers tend to panic in situations like this.
With the presence of many qualified towing and roadside assistance companies in the market, you need not panic. The following are steps that you should take to make sure that you manage the situation effectively before further assistance gets to your location.
1. Move off the road if possible
This is the first step to be taken when a car has trouble while on the road. The idea is to move to the side of the road quickly before the car comes to a halt. This does not mean that the driver should jeer off the road and cause a traffic disturbance. The idea is to operate the automobile with caution to contain the situation to only one vehicle. Refrain from stopping on the opposite side of the road, on blind corners, bridges, narrow roads, or hills. You could try to use an exit, an emergency lane, a parking lot, or a rest stop.
2. Communicate with other drivers
Even though you might have managed to reach a safe spot by the side of the road, it is mandatory that you communicate to the other drivers about your situation. A way to do this is by using the hazard lights. The hazard light button is usually signified with a red triangle among the controls within the car. This will help other passers-by know that you are experiencing car trouble.
3. Refrain from abandoning the vehicle when in the course of traffic
Except for situations that are very dangerous for you to remain in the vehicle, do you best to not leave the vehicle when it is still on the road. If you can not manage to remove the car from the road, then either stay in your vehicle or use extreme caution if you feel that you must get out . Many people experiencing car trouble try to remedy their problem by leaving the car and popping the hood to try to fix the damage. It is good to note that this is very dangerous and could prove to cause greater harm to both the car and the driver who is standing in the middle of the road.
4. Exit the car safely
Exercise safety as you leave the car, especially if the door you are exiting is on the opposite side of traffic. It is not advisable to open the door of a car while there is oncoming traffic. Make sure you check if traffic is clear enough to exit the car, this means that you should not shy away from crawling to the next seat to exit the car safely.
5. Expand the visibility of your problem
This relates to showing oncoming traffic that you are experiencing car problems, and is applicable when you are stranded on the side of a dark road. Also, if you are in a misty or foggy area, hazard lights may not be as visible and helpful as you would want them to be. You can expand the visibility with items such as hazard triangles and flares.
6. Call for Roadside Assistance help
The roadside assistance service industry is full of numerous companies that deliver vehicle assistance during such times. If you have one in mind, you could seek their assistance, and if necessary you could ask a friend or family member to help you contact a reliable car roadside assistance company for help. These companies provide many emergency services such as towing, jump starting, and tire changing for vehicles that are immobilized. It is advisable to always have a vehicle roadside assistance contact that can help you save time and energy when such a situation happens.
7. Do not leave your car behind
Some drivers feel the need to wait for assistance from a nearby public establishment. This is not usually advisable – drivers should always stay in close proximity to their cars during such instances whenever it is safe to do so.
8. Have emergency materials and supplies in the car
A driver should always be prepared for these situations. This means that he or she should carry supplies like a flashlight, blanket, first aid kit, water, and even snacks, inside the car. The supplies are handy in situations where the car breaks down at a location that is very far from any commercial area and the services of a roadside assistance company. In addition to this, it is essential that every car have a spare tire, a jack, a simple repair tool kit, and jumper cables, etc.
We at Jan’s Towing strongly promote and encourage safe driving. We also know that sometimes things go wrong and you may need roadside assistance in the future. When you need help with your vehicle while on the road, Jan’s Towing offers fast & reliable towing and roadside assistance – everywhere in the San Gabriel Valley, such as Azusa, Glendora, Covina, West Covina, Arcadia, Irwindale, City of Industry, Rowland Heights, and beyond. In Inland Empire, we service the cities of Fontana, Rialto, Bloomington, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, and surrounding cities. We will respond immediately on a 24/7 basis, so give us a call right now at (626) 914-1841 if you are in need of towing or any roadside assistance!
