Safety Tips For The Side Of The Road

Whether driving to work or taking a road trip across the country, you depend on your vehicle to get you there. But what do you do if it breaks down?

Don’t panic. Slowly take your foot off the accelerator and don’t brake suddenly. Try to reach an exit or get your vehicle out of the flow of traffic.

Stay put. Stay in your vehicle with the doors locked. Keep your seat-belt on, even if you are just waiting on the side of the road. If someone approaches your vehicle, slightly open your window and ask them to call the police if you are unable to do so.

Be visible. Turn on your hazard lights, especially if it is dark. Reflective triangles and flares greatly increase your visibility, so you may want to keep them in your vehicle.

Get help. Don’t try to repair your vehicle if there is any risk to your safety. Instead of flagging down other drivers, simply raise your hood and call for help on your cell phone. If you are unable to call for help, wait for a police officer or tow truck operator. You can also place a sign in the window asking other drivers to notify the police.

If you must leave your vehicle:

Safety first. Don’t walk away from your vehicle unless you must and are confident it is safe. Always walk as far from traffic as possible and stay on the right side of the road. Never try to cross a multi-lane, high-speed road.

Don’t forget to lock up. Make sure your vehicle is secured and keep valuable items out of sight.

Leave a note. Put a note in the windshield explaining the problem and where you have gone so that passing police officers are aware of the situation.

Come back soon. If your vehicle is a hazard to traffic, it may be towed by police immediately. However, if it is off the roadway, you usually have 24 to 48 hours to remove it. Check your local laws as these limits vary by state.

Contact us for all of your insurance needs! 

Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire residents, at R Hobbs Insurance Agency, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (847) 680-0888 or send us a note at [email protected]. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

Content source: Kemper