When your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, it can be a frightening and frustrating experience. If you don't have anyone to call when you need help, it can frustrate you even more. A few months ago, my truck quit on the way to work. Since I work and live in a rural area, finding someone to give me a lift to the city isn't always easy. Luckily, my employer sent a tow truck driver to help me out. The driver towed my car to a shop in town to get it repaired. The driver also offered a few tips on how to stay safe in a rural area. If you need advice or information about towing, read my blog. I show you how to keep cool under tough situations and what to do when you need towing help. Thanks for visiting.
Stuck and Need Towing Help? Find Tips Here
Waiting For Towing Service? Stay Safe On The Shoulder
Kylie Torres
Being stuck on the side of the road with a busted car is a nightmare. But being stuck on the highway in the middle of the night is even worse. It's far too late to call a mechanic or even ask a friend for help. An intrepid--or desperate--motorist may be tempted to try a quick repair on the side of the road rather than call commercial towing services. However, late night repairs such as this can prove fatal. People outside of their cars account for 12% of deaths on interstate highways. In most cases, it's much safer to simply call a tow truck. Consider the following when safely waiting for your towing services to arrive.
First, gauge your situation. Hopefully, you were able to pull off on an exit and into a low-traffic area. In this case, it might be safe to both stay in your car or wait on the side of your car to wait for the tow truck to arrive. If you ended up on the shoulder, engage your hazard lights and collect your phone, your wallet or purse, and any other belongings that you need. If it's cold outside, make sure you grab your coat--it doesn't make sense to stay safe outside of a car if you're going to die of hypothermia. If you have kids or pets in the car, don't open the doors that face the road. Give your children instructions to stay in the grass away from the car while you wait.
Next, make yourself visible. Your car is lit up with hazard lights, but you are not. Turn on your phone's flashlight feature, if you have one. Don't shine it toward the oncoming cars; rather, keep it pointed slightly down to illuminate the area in front of you so cars can see where you are.
While you wait for the tow truck, stay vigilant. It might be tempting to play with your phone while you pass the time. However, you want to make sure that you are keeping an eye on the road to look for any vehicles coming your way. At this time, a police officer might see your hazard lights and pull over to offer assistance. If you feel uncomfortable on the side of the road, you may be able to ask the officer for a ride to the nearest exit. Call your towing company to let them know where to meet you.
For more information and tips to prepare for a situation like this, contact a towing company, such as All Star Towing.
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