What You Can Do If Your Car Breaks Down While You’re Driving
Your car having a major malfunction while you are driving is one of the scariest situations you can be involved in on the road. If you notice your car suddenly beginning to have problems with handling while you’re driving, pull over to the side of the road as quickly as possible, especially with highway driving. While pulling your car to the shoulder, please keep the following safety information at top of mind:
- Try coasting until a straight portion of the road is available, so you can see oncoming traffic and they can see you
- If your engine has died, don’t get out of your car. While seeing traffic backing up behind you is troublesome, running across the highway is surely a worse option.
- If it’s dark out, turn on an interior cabin light so drivers on the road can see. If your engine is functioning, leave it running so you don’t drain the battery.
Most busy roads are also heavily patrolled. The possibility is strong that a highway patrol car may come to your assistance.
Additional Breakdown Safety Tips
Once you’re safely on the side of the road, consider these additional safety precautions:
- Attach a white cloth or white paper to the driver’s side window. First, roll it down, then slide a piece of cloth or paper in, and roll the window back up. This helps to signal that you need help and have broken down.
- Use your mobile phone to call roadside assistance, if you are in cell range, for help to reach you most quickly. If you don’t have a phone, finding an emergency call box if one is available, another good option. If not, your cloth or paper will serve you well enough until help arrives.
- If it’s daytime, use the car’s emergency blinkers to let other drivers know that you can’t move. At night, don’t turn your blinkers on, as other drivers may think your vehicle is still moving slowly, and hit you. If you have them, put flares around your car at night if you aren’t stuck in the middle of traffic.
- If you have a flat tire, don’t get out to change it unless it’s located on the side of your car facing away from the traffic.
If you experience a break down, call the auto repair experts at AAMCO Overland Park as soon as possible so they may assist you with your vehicle’s issues.
