Follow These Safety Tips After a Breakdown

Experiencing a breakdown can be scary, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area or on a busy road. However, following a few safety tips will help to protect you, your car, and other drivers. When a breakdown happens, arrange for a tow truck as soon as possible, and keep this safety advice in mind. 

Make Yourself Visible

The first thing you should do if you start having car trouble when you’re driving is to put on your hazard lights so that people are aware you’re having an issue. When you pull over, or if you break down in the middle of the road and can’t move over, keep your hazard lights on to help people see you. If you have emergency triangles and it is safe to quickly get out of your car, put those behind and around your vehicle to be even more visible for other drivers. 

Try to Get to the Side of the Road

When you break down, it is not always possible to move your car out of traffic. However, if you can, get your car to the side of the road, as far out of the traffic as possible. Even if you can’t completely get out of the road, moving your vehicle as close to the shoulder as you can is safer for you and for other drivers. 

Stay in Your Car

The safest place to be in after a breakdown is inside your car. Stay there, even if your car is in traffic, as getting out into the road can be dangerous. Don’t attempt to repair your car yourself. When you call the tow company, let them know that you’re stranded, or if you believe you are not in a safe area, call 911 before you call for a tow. When you’re in the car, don’t run the engine. The exhaust pipe can get clogged and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Barnett’s Towing knows that breaking down is stressful, which is why we provide 24-hour towing in Tucson and across the state, even in remote areas. When you need a tow truck, call us any time at 1-800-722-2302.