Preparing For Car Emergencies

Posted on: 10 March 2016

Now that you have your driver's license, there are some things you should know about safety. You never know when you're going to end up needing roadside assistance. It's important that you know what to do when you're car breaks down. Here are four simple steps you should take that will help keep you safe while you wait for a tow truck.

Move Your Car As Far Off the Road as Possible

If your car breaks down while you're driving, you should try and navigate your car off the road as far as possible. The farther you can move your car off the road, the safer you'll be while you wait. Make sure you turn your hazard lights on as soon as you realize you have a problem. This will alert other motorists and give them enough time to slow down for you.

Gather Everything You'll Need to Take with You

Once you've got your car in a safe location, you should start gathering everything you're going to need to take with you in the tow truck. As you gather things, place them in the passenger seat next to you. This will keep everything in one central location. Some of the items you should gather will include your insurance paperwork, as well as any valuables you may have in the car. Gathering these items in advance will allow you to move to the tow truck as soon as the driver arrives.

Stay In Your Car

You may be tempted to get out of your car and assess the damage to your car. However, that can place you in immediate danger of being struck by passing motorists. This is particularly true if your break down occurs during the night or other times of low visibility. Stay in your car and wait for the tow driver to arrive.

Ask For Identifying Information for the Tow Driver

You can't be sure who's going to stop once they see you stranded on the side of the road. You can protect yourself by keeping your doors locked and your windows closed. When you call for roadside assistance, be sure to ask for the name of the driver who has been dispatched, as well as the license plate number for the tow truck being used. Once the driver arrives, roll your window down an inch or two and ask them for their name and license plate number.

When your car breaks down, it's important that you do everything you can to keep yourself safe. The safety precautions provided above will help ensure your safety while you wait for auto towing.