Driving is a part of everyday life for most people, and in some rare situations, there comes a time when your car just stops working the way it should. Having your car break down or stop working normally while on the road is one of the worst things that can happen, and for most people, it can be a very stressful experience.
Feeling trapped on the side of the road without access to the tools or support you need to get your vehicle fixed can be frustrating. Even worse is the concern that other drivers on the road may not always have your best interests in mind while they’re passing by. The stress, emotions, and anxiety involved in a roadside breakdown is a situation that nobody ever wants to be dealing with, but it is always important to try and keep calm and deal with the basics first to make sure you and any passengers in your car are as safe as possible while dealing with the problem.
The reality is that many drivers don’t have a good understanding of where or even how to park their vehicle while waiting for help, and because of this, their chances of getting injured are higher than ever before. To help people stay safe while waiting for help, the team here at Titan Towing has taken the time to put together some important advice for drivers in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area on the safest places to be while waiting for roadside assistance
Pull Over onto the Right Shoulder Quickly
In most cases, the most basic but also most important thing to do when you realize your car is not working properly is to turn on your emergency lights and bring your car to the right side of the road, and well into the shoulder. While you may want to keep at least one tire on the pavement depending on the surroundings, the general rule of thumb is that the further right you can go, the better off you’ll be.
Blocking a roadway with your vehicle is never a good idea. It can put you and any other drivers on the road in danger, especially if the speed limit is high. Not everyone who comes by may be fully prepared to dodge your vehicle, and if your vehicle is in an active lane, the chances of getting hit goes up dramatically.
Stay Inside Your Vehicle
In most situations, staying inside your vehicle with the seat belt on is a much better idea than trying to get out. This is especially true if you are not already pulled well over onto the right shoulder. A person’s vehicle is much more visible than they would be themselves, especially at night. In many situations, getting out of your car creates additional risk for you and others starting with the open door that possibly stretches into an active lane even if you’re on the shoulder.
If your engine is smoking, or there are other signs of overheating or immediate danger, then your best option is to try and exit the vehicle safely. Remember to maintain road awareness and exit from the right side if at all possible, to minimize the chances of something unexpected happening to you.
Keep Yourself Away from Traffic
If you’re unable to get your car off the road, then it is important to put your personal safety ahead of your vehicle, especially on a busy roadway. After making your best effort to bring your vehicle onto the right shoulder, pay close attention to the traffic around you. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, or if your car is still blocking any lane of the road, then exit the vehicle as quickly as calmly as possible with the emergency lights active.
Making sure that you exit from the passenger side can go a long way towards ensuring your safety while minimizing the risk of an accident in the process. If you can, keep a fluorescent jacket stored in your vehicle where it is easily accessible so that you can quickly grab it in this kind of situation. This type of jacket will make you much more visible even at night and can be highly effective in emergency situations.
Call for Assistance Only After Getting to Safety
At Titan Towing, our team understands how frustrating it can be to have your car stop working at the worst possible times, and we’re always ready to answer the call if you need help. With years of experience helping the residents of Arlington, TX and the surrounding DFW Metroplex with all kinds of towing related problems, we have the knowledge and skills needed to deal with any kind of situation, but we also know that safety must always come first.
If you’re dealing with unexpected car trouble and need help from a professional towing company that will always put your safety first while treating your vehicle with the respect it deserves, be sure to contact us right away!
