Breaking down on the side of the road is a stressful and frustrating experience for any driver. It can happen at any time, and knowing what to do can make a significant difference in your safety and the safety of other drivers. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what to do if your car breaks down and how to stay safe.
Step 1: Stay calm and pull over
The first thing to do if your car breaks down is to stay calm and pull over to a safe location. This could be the side of the road, a parking lot, or a side street. Make sure to put on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that your vehicle is disabled.
Step 2: Assess the situation
Once you’ve pulled over, assess the situation. Try to identify the problem with your vehicle and determine if it’s something you can fix yourself or if you need to call for help. If you’re not sure what the problem is, don’t try to fix it yourself.
Step 3: Call for help
If you can’t fix the problem yourself, call for help. This could be a tow truck, roadside assistance, or a friend or family member who can come to help. Be sure to provide your location and a brief description of the problem when you call for assistance.
Step 4: Stay safe
While waiting for help to arrive, it’s essential to stay safe. If possible, stay inside your vehicle with the doors locked and the windows rolled up. If you must exit your vehicle, do so on the passenger side away from traffic. Make sure to stand a safe distance away from the road and other vehicles.
Step 5: Be prepared
It’s always a good idea to be prepared for a breakdown by carrying a few essential items in your car. These could include a spare tire, a jack and tire iron, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and extra water and snacks.
Breaking down on the side of the road can be a stressful and dangerous situation. If your car breaks down, remember to stay calm, pull over to a safe location, assess the situation, and call for help if needed. While waiting for assistance, make sure to stay safe by staying in your vehicle or standing a safe distance away from traffic. Being prepared for a breakdown by carrying essential items in your car can also help you stay safe and reduce stress in the event of a breakdown. By following these steps, you can stay safe and get back on the road as quickly as possible.
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Patrick M. is Editorial Director for the always expanding DriveSafe Online library of courses. With over two decades of experience developing award-winning training, he now focuses on innovating online driver safety training. Pulling from his background in journalism, he steers the wheel behind the creation of top-tier content that promotes a better journey—whether on the digital highway of learning or the real roads we travel every day.