5 Roadside Safety Tips When Your Car Breaks Down

A roadside emergency can happen to any driver at any time. Whether you experience a flat tire, an electrical system malfunction, or an engine overheating, it often hits without a warning and forces you to stop by the side of the road.

This can be an immensely dangerous situation, especially if your breakdown happens on a busy road or highway, so we have assembled five critical roadside safety tips for when your car breaks down, from moving it to a safe location and using warning devices to calling for assistance and more.

Move to a Safe Location

As soon as you notice signs of your car breaking down, such as unusual noises or a sudden loss of power, try to take action immediately. Depending on the situation, try to leave the road altogether, like into a parking lot, highway exit or rest stop, or at the very least onto the shoulder of the road. The goal is to get as far away from moving traffic as possible for your and other road users' safety. Avoid stopping in traffic lanes, around corners or curves or at the bottom of a hill unless your car becomes unmaneuverable.

Activate Hazard Lights and Use Warning Devices

Immediately after moving to a safe spot, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your presence. Use reflective triangles, flares, or a safety vest to increase your visibility, especially at night or in poor weather conditions. Place reflective triangles behind your vehicle at intervals of 10, 30, and 100 feet to give approaching drivers ample warning.

Stay Inside the Vehicle

Especially on a busy road, your best bet often is to stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened. Exiting your car can put you in danger of getting struck by passing traffic. If you must exit, try to do so with extreme caution and, if possible, on the side away from traffic. 

Call for Assistance

If you have roadside assistance services through AMA, your insurance or cell phone carrier, call them and provide your exact location as well as possible, either through road signs or, if you're on the highway, potential highway markers, landmarks or GPS coordinates. Alternatively, call a local mechanic, tow truck, or mobile roadside assistance service, such as GoWrench Auto. Especially if you travel a lot, program emergency roadside contact numbers into your phone for quick access.

Be Prepared

Especially if you are on the road a lot, ensure you have emergency supplies in your car. Keep an emergency kit, including items such as a flashlight, first-aid supplies, basic tools, jumper cables, gloves, and a blanket. Any reflective triangles to warn other drivers, flags or flares, and reflective vests can add an additional layer.

Additionally, ensure that your phone is charged before embarking on any trip and carry a portable charger for emergencies. If you go on a longer trip, ensure that you bring water and nonperishable snacks like granola bars or trail mix with you.

Conclusion

A car breakdown can be a stressful and potentially dangerous situation. By following roadside emergency safety tips like moving as far off the road as possible to get away from moving traffic, activating your hazard lights and using warning devices, staying in your vehicle and calling for assistance, you can ensure your well-being and that of your passengers until help arrives.

Reliable Roadside Assistance in the GTA

If you have ever found yourself stuck somewhere with a car or tire problem, you know that calling and waiting for a tow truck to bring your car to a garage, where you will have to wait even longer, is highly inconvenient. This is why GoWrench Auto brings the service to your location with our mobile auto and tire repair services; whether you need a battery boost, fuel delivery services or maybe car lockout services, our 24/7 towing services go beyond just reliably picking up your car.

With highly trained mechanics, the right technology, a dedicated customer service team, and the proper equipment, over 500 services can be completed at your workplace, on the job, or in your driveway. GoWrench Auto is here to change the way you think about roadside assistance.

Call us today at 1(866)-341-9455 to learn how we can help you with your roadside emergency!