Breaking down on the road can be a stressful and dangerous situation, especially if you are unsure of what to do next. Unfortunately, many drivers make serious mistakes that can put their safety at risk. To help you stay protected and get assistance as quickly as possible, Speedway Towing & Roadside Assistance is here to highlight common breakdown mistakes and how to avoid them.
Failing to Make Your Vehicle Visible
One of the biggest mistakes drivers make during a breakdown is not making their vehicle visible to other motorists. This can be extremely hazardous, especially in high-traffic areas, low-light conditions, or poor weather when other drivers may not realize your vehicle is stalled. To avoid this mistake you will want to:
• Turn on your hazard lights immediately. This will signal to other drivers that your vehicle is experiencing trouble.
• Use reflective warning devices. If you have cones, flares, or reflective triangles, place them a few feet behind your vehicle.
• Mark your vehicle manually. If your battery is dead and the hazard lights won’t work, tie a scarf or cloth to the antenna to alert others.
It’s always a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with cones, a flashlight, and reflective materials for situations like these.
Exiting the Vehicle When It’s Unsafe
Stepping out of your vehicle in a breakdown situation can be extremely dangerous, especially on busy highways or poorly lit roads. Many breakdown-related injuries occur when stranded drivers step onto the roadway and are hit by passing traffic. To avoid injury you will want to:
• Stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt on, especially in high-traffic areas.
• Call for roadside assistance immediately and wait safely inside.
• Exit only if absolutely necessary If you must leave your vehicle to place warning signals, do so with extreme caution and only when traffic conditions allow.
Your priority should always be safety. If your car is in a high-risk area, such as an active roadway, move to a secure location like a shoulder or rest area if possible.
Leaving Your Vehicle to Find Help
Some drivers make the mistake of leaving their vehicle to look for assistance, assuming they can find help faster. However, wandering away from your vehicle can lead to serious risks, including getting lost, missing roadside assistance when they arrive, or encountering unsafe situations in unfamiliar areas. Before you decide to leave your vehicle you will want to:
• Stay with your vehicle unless you are in immediate danger.
• Use your phone to call for help. Instead of leaving, call a towing service or roadside assistance provider from where you are.
• Make your vehicle easy to find by turning on hazard lights and using any available markers.
If you leave your car and roadside assistance arrives while you are away, they may move on to the next call, delaying the help you need.
Towing & Roadside Assistance in Irving, Fort Worth, Arlington, Carrollton & Plano Texas
Breaking down on the road can be unsettling, but by avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure your safety and a quicker response from roadside assistance. Remember to:
• Turn on hazard lights and use warning signals.
• Stay inside your vehicle whenever possible.
• Call for professional help and remain in your car.
At Speedway Towing & Roadside Assistance, we provide 24/7 emergency towing and roadside assistance to ensure you are never stranded for long. Call us today!
