Understanding The Three 'Stays' Of Keeping Safe During A Highway Breakdown After Dark
Posted on: 6 April 2016
When you drive a vehicle every day, it is easy to take for granted the fact that car and trucks are merely mechanical and electrical items that can occasionally break down. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for your car to break down and leave you stranded at the most inopportune times--especially after dark. It is incredibly scary to be stranded on the side of the road after dark waiting on a towing service to come to your rescue. However, you can stay safe simply by following these three 'stay' rules while you wait on a tow truck after a car breaks down.
Stay in your car until the towing service arrives.
Even if you think you may know what is wrong with your car, it is much safer to just stay inside your vehicle until help gets to you. Stepping out of your vehicle on a busy highway could put you directly in the path of an unsuspecting motorist who is zooming by. If you absolutely must get out of your car, stay off the shoulder and to the right of your car--even if it means you have to climb over to the passenger side to exit.
Stay visible as much as possible to other drivers.
As long as your battery is not dead, keep your emergency flashers and headlights on low beam while you are waiting. The more visible you are on the shoulder of the road, the less likely it will be that you will get sideswiped by a car passing by that doesn't see you. If you are stuck with a dead battery, use whatever you can to add light to your car, whether it is a flashlight sitting in the rear window or even your cell phone.
Stay cautious of those who stop to offer their assistance.
There will always be good people who are willing to stop and help out a stranded motorist, but not everyone can be trusted and it can be extremely hard to know the difference when you are dealing with strangers. Keep your doors locked and windows up and don't accept help from anyone you do not recognize. It is better to be assumed rude than to get out of your car or put yourself in harm's way with someone who has ill intentions. If you must speak to someone who stops to help, crack the window just enough to let them know that help is on the way.
To learn more, contact a towing company like Gervais Towing & Recovery.
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