If you’ve ever experienced a car breakdown, we don’t need to explain how distressing this can be. Even worse, if you were stranded in a dangerous location or on a busy motorway. Should you experience a breakdown, we’ve compiled a list of simple tips to keep you secure and, most importantly, calm.
The most important thing is that you, your passengers and your car are visible to other drivers is extremely important. Here are some fundamental guidelines for staying secure during a breakdown:
- Activate Hazard Lights: These are to alert other drivers that your car is stopped, turn on your hazard lights whether it is dark or not.
- Wear Reflective Gear: It’s a good idea to always have a reflective jacket in your car. Put this on and get out of the car while attempting to avoid getting hit by oncoming traffic.
- Deploy Caution Triangles or Flares: To alert approaching traffic that your car is stopped, place reflective caution triangles or flares behind your vehicle. To give other cars plenty of warning, it’s a good idea to place these triangles or flares at least 50 metres away from your vehicle.
- Move to Safety: Your safety is extremely vital. If the breakdown occurs on a highway or busy route, attempt to get off the road or behind the barrier, if possible.
- Pull Over Safely: As soon as you can and it is safe to do so, pull over slowly preferably at a safe spot by the side of the road or hard shoulder.
