9 Do's and Don'ts for Safety Following Highway Vehicle Breakdown
Vehicle breakdowns are not only inconvenient, they can also be very dangerous depending on where they occur and traffic around at the time. A simple breakdown can quickly escalate to a full-blown accident unless proactive steps are taken to mitigate ill effects in the aftermath. Breakdowns on highways are even more dangerous because such roads are characterised by a lot of traffic driving at potentially high speeds. The following tips will help you manage a highway breakdown to avoid risking your own safety and that of other road users.
- DO turn on your hazard lights as soon as you discover there's a problem. This will alert other motorists to avoid you and anticipate any unexpected vehicle manoeuvres as a result of the breakdown.
- DO try to safely move the vehicle to the closest shoulder of the highway to avoid slowing other motorists down. Be sure to check your mirrors so that you're not hit from the back while changing lanes.
- DO turn on the parking lights/headlights to make the car more visible if driving at night. Place reflective triangles in front of and behind the vehicle, taking care to avoid oncoming traffic.
- DO study the area around to find out whether it is safe to exit the vehicle. If the vehicle can be safely driven after the breakdown, try to move to a more populated area before stopping. If safe driving is impossible, lock your doors and windows and remain in the vehicle until your roadside assistance team arrives. If they are too far away, call for law enforcement officers who can protect you until you can be towed.
- DO find the nearest towing service to drag your car to the nearest mechanic. Remember that towing services are often charged according to distance. If you don't have roadside assistance under your insurance, check online using your phone for the closest dependable service.
- DON'T exit the vehicle through the driver's door while parked on the shoulder. Cross over and leave through the passenger side's door to avoid injury and damage from oncoming traffic. Don't stand next to or behind the vehicle as you wait for assistance, go back into the vehicle and wait. Otherwise, move far from the vehicle and road and wait there.
- DON'T try to solicit help from motorists passing by or accept unofficial assistance.
- DON'T insist on being towed to your own mechanic, particularly if they are far away from your breakdown point. You can save money by taking your car to the nearest mechanic for repairs that will put it back in driving condition before going to your preferred mechanic for extensive repair. This way, you can cut down your towing expenditure.
- DON'T stop on a blind corner, over a crest, on a bridge or at a narrow point on the road to minimize chances of another accident
