Your car broke down on the side of the road. The only thing you can do is call a tow truck to come pick you up, but what do you do in the meantime? To help the time pass a bit faster, be sure that you are taking proper safety measures to keep yourself and your vehicle safe while waiting. Here are four tips for staying safe during this time:
- Move to the Side of the Road: If you are able to, you should try moving your vehicle as close to the side of the road as you can. You should only do this if you are able to still drive and steer your vehicle slowly and smoothly. If you cannot drive your car, you can at least put it in neutral and push it to the side. However, you should only do this if you have the help of another person since one person will need to push the vehicle while the other person steers.
- Put on Your Hazard Lights: Once your vehicle has broken down, you must turn on your hazard lights. This way other vehicles know to steer clear, watch out for potential pedestrians, and slow down. If this situation is occurring at night, you should take other precautions, as well, such as setting up flares and reflective cones. These things should always be in the trunk of your vehicle just in case. You never know when they can help keep you safe.
- Take Stuff Out of Your Vehicle: Before the tow truck driver arrives, be sure that you take out important belongings and paperwork from your vehicle. This way, you know your important belongings are safe while your vehicle is being towed. You will also have paperwork ready to provide the tow driver or the auto mechanic that your vehicle is taken to, such as the vehicle registration, insurance, and your driver's license.
- Call a Friend or Family Member: If you are stranded on the side of the road and you are alone, you should call a friend or family member, especially if this is happening at night. If you do not have a friend or family member who lives in the area, you can always call the police and an officer will come and stay with you until the tow truck arrives. This way, you have someone who can provide protection from any potential harms that come to people who are sitting stranded and alone.
When you consider these four tips, you can be sure that whenever you need to tow your vehicle, you are safe while waiting for the towing service to arrive.
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