What to do if…

The one thing that we never want to see as tow truck drivers is for a client to deal with added stress when dealing with an emergency. So, we have put together some tricks to help alleviate some of the stress when dealing with two of the worst situations that we encounter. Here is what do if…

You are in a breakdown scenario

A break down could mean hundreds of things for a mechanic, but for a client, it means that the vehicle is no longer turning on, or the engine is no longer working. This is a stressful situation, but there are a few things that you can do to make the situation a little safer for you and your car.

• First and foremost, you need to pull to the side of the road. Whether this is onto a shoulder or straight off the road, you need to get as far away as possible from where something can hit you.
• Turn your hazards on and unload your passengers if it is safe to do so. If you are on a highway or interstate, have your passengers stand behind the guardrail or cement divider if at all possible. If not, make sure to stand as far as possible back from the roadway itself.
• Call a tow truck company that you know to come and get you and take you to a mechanic. If you are not from the area, do a quick search and find a company that has stellar reviews and a wide catchment area. Once the call is made, make sure to keep an eye out for your truck, but stay a safe distance away from the road!

Your car is starting to show warning lights, and you are showing a case of malfunction on the highway

Warning lights are never something that you want to deal with on a highway, and if your dashboard is starting to light up like a Christmas tree, then it might be time to think of your next move. The next few minutes are essential to both your cars and your safety.

• Stop in the emergency lane or on the right-hand shoulder of the highway. As soon as you come to a controlled and safe stop, make sure that you are as far over as possible. Then you will want to put on your hazard lights.
• If you can, exit the vehicle and stand on the other side of a guardrail or cement divider, away from traffic. If there are no human-made obstructions stand as far away from the vehicle as possible. If it is not safe to exit the vehicle, stay in the vehicle until the tow truck arrives.
• Call a tow truck company to come to check out your issue and stay safe. Tow truck drivers will be able to arrive on the scene, check out the situation and advise you of the next steps.

Long story short, pull over, put on your hazards, stay safe and call a tow truck. It is that simple!