If your car breaks down in the middle of a highway, it can be an incredibly frightening and stressful experience. However, there are some important steps to take when this happens that will help you stay safe and get back on the road with minimal delay.
Stay calm and assess the situation
One of the primary things that you need to do in this situation is to stay calm and assess the situation. Don’t panic, don’t try to speed away in a frantic attempt to get off of the highway. Rather, avoid further damage and hefty fines by pulling over onto the shoulder or emergency lane.
If there are clear signs that your car is not going anywhere fast, such as it sounding like it is about to die, or if the engine is smoking heavily, you will want to contact a tow truck service. The emergency responders offering towing in Dallas suggest that when you call a towing service, ask them where they are located and how long it will take for them to arrive. On the other hand, if your car isn’t in an immediate state of danger of being towed away by another vehicle due to it not moving at all or appearing that it has stalled, then having someone come pick you up may be the best option.
Pull off to the side of the road, if possible
In case you’re stuck in a particularly busy section of the highway, such as right before an exit or where there is frequent traffic merging onto the road, it may be a good idea to pull off onto the side of the road. This way you will not cause further problems while also avoiding being hit by another vehicle.
If your car appears too damaged to be driven or if it’s just not going to start, then you have no other choice but to call a tow truck. Let the emergency responders know that you need immediate assistance and ask them where they are located so that your wait time is minimized as much as possible.
Turn on your hazard lights
Another thing that you need to do is to turn on your hazard lights, so other drivers know about your situation. This will help prevent any further damage to your vehicle and make it easier for emergency responders or tow truck drivers to find you. You should also put on a reflective vest, if possible so that other people passing by can see you from farther away. Otherwise, you can also put on a bright jacket or use something reflective as a signal flag for passing motorists.
Write down your location
It can also be a good idea to write down the exact location where you broke down on the highway. This way, if it takes longer than expected for someone to find you or tow truck service hasn’t arrived within half an hour of calling them, then you will at least know how far away from the help you are. You can also call a friend or family member and have them mark down the exact location on your map so that they know where to come to pick you up if necessary.
Call for roadside assistance or call 911 if you’re feeling unsafe
As much as possible, try to remain in your car and avoid walking out onto the highway, as this could put you at risk of being struck by another vehicle. However, if it’s clear that staying inside is not an option or if there are no other cars around where you can pull over to the side of the road without causing additional problems, then make sure to call for roadside assistance or call 911 if you’re feeling unsafe.
- Know what to do in case of a car fire
If your car breaks down and catches on fire, then there are some important steps that you need to take as quickly as possible. This includes staying out of the vehicle, unless it’s necessary for safety reasons, and taking your car keys and any valuables that you might have with you. You should also remove all electronic devices from the vehicle, such as cell phones and anything else that has a battery or requires power to function.
Make sure there aren’t any flammable liquids in your car either, such as gas or oil, which could make the fire worse. Once you’ve done this, feel free to call 911 or seek a roadside assistance service for help putting out the flames and getting your car towed away. As always, if there is any doubt about what needs to be done in this situation then it’s best to err on the side of caution because being safe is always better than taking unnecessary risks.
- Know what to do if your car starts leaking gas
If there is a problem with your gas tank leaking or if you start smelling gasoline, then it’s important to stay away from the vehicle and call 911 immediately. This is because there could be an issue with the fuel line that has caused some of the gas to leak out onto the ground beside your car. If this happens, do not try getting turning the engine on as it could cause a fire or explosion.
Stay in the vehicle until help arrives
If possible, stay in the vehicle until help arrives, so you don’t have to worry about being struck by another vehicle. You should also make sure all passengers are buckled in securely and out of harm’s way. If it’s safe enough for you to remove yourself from the car, then make sure that your keys, any valuables, and electronic devices are removed first before getting out.
If you find yourself in this unfortunate incident, follow the steps listed above to stay safe and keep the situation under control. This will help minimize any damage to your vehicle and allow for other drivers or first responders to see that there is an emergency. Remember, it’s always better not just to be prepared, but also proactive when it comes time for potential emergencies on the roadways. Make sure you’re following all of these safety guidelines so that if anything happens, you’ll know what action to take next.