If you break down on the highway, your first priority is safety. Try to steer your car as far off the road as possible and away from oncoming traffic.
Turn on your hazard lights and stay in your car until help arrives. Only attempt simple repairs like changing a flat tire if you are well off the road and safe from traffic. Contact Tow Truck Companies Colorado Springs for more information.
Call for Help
Experiencing a breakdown on a highway can be an extremely stressful and dangerous situation. With cars, trucks and SUVs zooming by at high speeds, it’s important to stay calm and follow the tips in this article to keep yourself safe.
In most cases, the Insurance Information Institute recommends that you remain inside your vehicle with your seat belt fastened and turn on your hazard lights. This signals to passing motorists that you’re stranded and need assistance. If it’s safe to do so, slowly move your car off the road onto a wide shoulder or away from traffic. If possible, try to position your vehicle behind an embankment, traffic barrier or guardrail for added safety.
Once your car has been safely moved to a safer spot, activate the emergency brake and keep it engaged. It’s important to avoid slamming on the brakes as this can cause your vehicle to roll back into traffic. Once you’re in a safe location, check to make sure your doors are locked and that your seats are secure.
Next, it’s a good idea to call for help. Most car companies have customer service numbers that you can use to contact them for assistance. You can also contact the police and report your breakdown to them. They will likely dispatch a patrol vehicle to your location to direct traffic around you, making you more visible to drivers and improving your odds of getting assisted quickly.
If you don’t have a cell phone, you can try to signal passing motorists by waving your arms or using a flashlight to attract their attention. You can also use a flare or warning triangle if you have one and place it at a distance from your vehicle to alert other drivers that you need assistance.
Move to a Safe Place
When your car breaks down on a busy road or highway, it’s essential to take steps to prioritize your safety. Staying calm and assessing the situation can help you make better decisions, minimizing your risk of accidents. If you can safely move your vehicle, try to steer it away from moving traffic and onto a shoulder or parking lot. If you can’t move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights and raise the hood to signal that you need assistance.
Unless you’re certain it’s safe to exit your car, always remain inside and keep your seatbelt fastened while waiting for assistance. Exiting your vehicle on a busy highway or roadway puts you at risk of being hit by other drivers, especially if it happens while passing trucks or vans are traveling at high speeds. It’s also important to remember that leaving your car unattended could put you at risk of theft or vandalism.
Aside from keeping your doors locked, you should also consider putting up a warning sign or putting out flares to signal your location to other motorists. This can help them navigate around you and avoid collisions, ensuring your safety while waiting for help.
Another option is to call the police and let them know that your vehicle has broken down on the roadway and needs assistance. They can put their much more visible vehicle behind yours and direct traffic around you, ensuring that everyone’s safety is kept in mind. Additionally, the police will notify a local roadside assistance provider, who may be able to assist you sooner than if you called on your own.
In addition to staying inside your vehicle, you should also lock your doors and close all windows. This will help prevent thieves and vandals from accessing your vehicle while you wait for assistance. Additionally, you should avoid accepting rides from strangers, even if they claim to be a tow truck driver or other roadside assistance provider. This can be a dangerous and inconvenient way to get to your destination, and it could lead to further problems with your vehicle.
Turn on Hazard Lights
A car breaking down on a busy road is an extremely stressful experience. As cars, SUVs and semi-trucks zoom by at high speeds, panic is a common reaction that can lead to poor decision-making and increase the risk of accidents. However, knowing what to do when your car breaks down on the road can help keep you safe and reduce stress in an already stressful situation.
The first step is to turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers of your vehicle’s presence. Next, try to move your vehicle to a safer location off the highway, such as the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. If you have a breakdown kit, it’s a good idea to use the included reflective triangles or flares to make your vehicle more visible. Also, if it’s dark outside, turning on your interior lights can help illuminate your vehicle.
Once your vehicle is out of the way of traffic, it’s important to call for help. Depending on the severity of your breakdown, you may want to contact 911 or your normal roadside assistance service. When calling for help, provide detailed information about your vehicle and the nature of the problem. Also, make sure to stay on the phone until you receive confirmation that help is on the way.
If it’s safe to exit your vehicle, exit through the passenger side door away from traffic and stand far back – behind a guardrail, for example – while waiting for assistance. Drivers tend to steer toward whatever they’re looking at, so it’s best to remain hidden from the roadway while you wait for help.
If you can’t exit your vehicle, stay in the car with the seat belt fastened and hazard lights on. Unless you are on a paved shoulder that is fenced off from the travel lanes, it’s generally safer to stay in your vehicle than attempt crossing a busy highway to get help. Besides, it’s not uncommon for drivers to lose control of their vehicles due to sudden problems like a flat tire or engine trouble. Preventive maintenance and regular inspections can help prevent many breakdown-related issues, but sometimes even the best-maintained cars have mechanical problems.
Stay in Your Car
If your car breaks down in the middle of traffic, the most important thing is to stay in your vehicle. Even if you can’t make it off the highway, try to pull to the right (or left if you normally drive on that side) of the road and away from traffic as much as possible. You should also turn on your flasher lights, raise your hood and put up reflective triangles or flares (if it’s night) to help other drivers see you.
If it’s safe to do so, you may want to open your passenger door to exit your car and move off the roadway onto the shoulder if that’s an option. However, remember that many breakdown injuries occur when drivers exit their vehicles on busy roads.
When you get to a safer spot, you should still be careful not to leave your vehicle unattended. You should have a visible note on your dashboard with your first name, cell phone number and destination or departure time to inform any passing motorists that you’ve broken down. You should also roll up your windows and lock your doors.
While you wait for assistance, it’s a good idea to have a blanket, water and snacks. It’s also helpful to have a first aid kit for any injuries or illnesses that might arise. If you’re stranded on the side of the road, it’s best to decline any offers of help from strangers unless they’re a professional service such as a police or tow truck driver.
As you continue to wait for help, keep your vehicle’s headlights on and your parking brake set to ensure that your vehicle doesn’t roll back into traffic. Be sure to check your mirrors regularly so you can be aware of any approaching vehicles. Also, do not touch any parts of your engine or radiator to avoid burning your hands. It’s not worth the risk!
