It’s a scary situation when your car breaks down on the highway. You’re abruptly stranded on the side of the road with no help, and it can be hard to know what to do next. This blog post will guide you through several steps that can save you money and time while also providing you with peace of mind during an emergency.
Ask for help
The very first thing to do is pull over to your shoulder anytime possible. Many safety hazards come with roadside emergencies. So doing this is extremely important for your safety and well-being in addition to the security of others. Make sure your car is in a safe location before you call for help. This will let you get out of the way when emergency services arrive, and also let you turn on your car’s hazard lights so other drivers can see where it’s.
Once you do this, make sure to ask for help right away. You should all the time call 911 in a real emergency, but if there is no serious risk then you might want to call a towing company or a roadside support company. Some companies can offer you step-by-step instructions over the phone, which will help you with what steps to take next when your car breaks down on the highway.
If you have a roadside support plan then you should contact the company and follow their protocol when your vehicle breaks down on the highway. In just about all cases, they will ask if you can get off the road safely before coming to the rescue or helping you with what needs to be done. Some companies will automatically send a tow truck to your location if you aren’t in an area where it’s safe for you to get off the road, but others may ask that you remain stationary until they arrive.
Find your emergency kit
Make sure you all the time keep an emergency kit in your car so you can easily access it if you need it. This kit should contain items such as gloves and a warm blanket to keep you safe and comfy while waiting, a flashlight with extra batteries, bungee cords, beacons, or a road triangle for roadside safety. It should even have a few screwdrivers handy in case something needs repair, tire sealant to fix any punctures in your car’s tires, and a spare tire if possible. If you are stranded on the side of the road for any length of time it is simple to get hypothermic so ensure your kit also has some hand warmers or chemical heat packs which will help keep you safe while you wait.
By being as prepared as possible, you can be sure that you’ll know what to do when your car breaks down on the highway. It’s important to all the time have emergency kit in your vehicle so that if it breaks you can stay safe and warm until help arrives. Make sure you have a roadside support plan with your car insurance or membership so that if something should occur, solving the problem will be easy and stress-free.
Stick to the “three P’s”
As for what to do when your car stalls on the highway, ensure you stick to the “three Ps.” This means that it is vital that you remain patient and positive while your car problem is being addressed. Rushing will not help anyone. Otherwise, it can lead to accidents and delays in getting help. Patience and positivity are the keys to getting through this situation. Being patient will offer you time to relax and not worry about your car breaking down on the highway or freeway while being positive can help encourage you when it comes time to deal with any problems that arise.
The second P is to wear yours hazard light if you’re able, that will alert other drivers to your presence and let them know you aren’t an immediate threat. This can be helpful when it’s dangerous for others to stop on the side of the road, such as during bad weather or during heavy traffic. It will also let you flash your car’s lights so other drivers know where you are.
With the last P safely pulled over, this means ensuring to get your car off the road if it isn’t safe for others to pull over. If there’s debris in the area, make sure to clean up as much of it as possible before you call for help. Collect all of your items from the wrecked vehicle so they do not get lost or damaged by someone else who might want them.
Build security
The most vital part of this situation is establishing security for yourself and others. Don’t try anything repair your damaged vehicle unless you can do it safely. However, you can still check your vehicle’s engine, tires, and gas tank to see if a problem is causing the damage. If you do not feel snug with this then it is alright to wait for the tow truck. Finally, make a plan for how you’re going to get home once the car is towed from the side of the highway. By thinking ahead and being prepared for these situations, you can easily bypass car breakdowns on the highway or freeway.
Knowledge is power, and the more you know about the potential hazards of your car, the better prepared you’ll be for any eventuality. Having a plan for how to get home after your vehicle breaks down on the highway and has been towed or needs roadside support can save time and aggravation for everybody involved. Knowing which steps you need to take beforehand will help make sure that these unfortunate incidents do not interfere with other aspects of your life. With the right tricks, you may never must run into another stalled vehicle again.
