Infographic on What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down

A car breakdown is one of the most stressful things that can happen to a driver while on the road. It is important to know what to do to avoid getting stranded or being in a dangerous situation. This guide will give detailed procedures, suggestions, and other relevant information on how to manage a car breakdown.

Immediate Steps to Take

Stay Calm and Pull Over Safely

• Signal and Move to Safety: To signal that you are about to pull over, use your turn signal. If possible, attempt to pull over to the right side of the road and out of traffic.
  • Key Point: Do not panic and try not to move around a lot.
  • Safety Tip:Do not stop on curves or on hills where visibility is restricted.
• Stop in a Safe Spot: If possible, try to find a safe and well-lit area with enough space to stop like a rest area or a parking lot.
  • Key Point: Select a place where you can safely get out of the car in case of an emergency.
  • Safety Tip: Always maintain the rightmost lane possible to minimize exposure to traffic.

Turn on Hazard Lights

• Activate Hazard Lights: Switch on your emergency signals to let other drivers know that you are in an emergency.
  • Key Point: Hazard lights increase the visibility of your vehicle particularly during the night or when it is raining.
  • Safety Tip: They inform other drivers to be careful when approaching your car or when you are about to turn.

Set Up Safety Measures

• Use Road Flares or Reflective Triangles: It is recommended to position these about 50 feet behind your vehicle to enhance visibility.
  • Key Point: Road flares are particularly effective during the night or in conditions of bad visibility.
  • Safety Tip: Reflective triangles can also be useful during the day.
• Wear a Reflective Vest: If you have one, turn it on to increase your visibility to other drivers on the road.
  • Key Point: A reflective vest helps to be seen, thus minimizing the chances of an accident.
  • Safety Tip: This is especially so if you have to get out of the car, for instance, in a parking lot.

Assess the Situation

Identify the Problem

• Check the Dashboard: There are usually signs that can help you identify the problem and they are usually in the form of warning lights or indicators.
  • Key Point: Dashboard lights are useful in that they can alert you to the problem area within a short time.
  • Safety Tip: Never dismiss any warning lights on your car; they are put there for your safety.
• Listen and Look: Be aware of any strange sounds or smells like smoke or any signs of leakage of fluids.
  • Key Point: Abnormal noises or visuals are often associated with critical issues.
  • Safety Tip: Do not open the hood if you notice smoke or fire.

Decide on the Next Steps

• Can You Fix It?: If the problem is not very serious and you have the tools and knowledge, you may be able to solve it yourself (for instance, changing a flat tyre).
  • Key Point: Do not attempt to repair something if you are not sure and if it is not safe to do so
  • Safety Tip: Always ensure that you have a jack stand and wheel chocks when changing a tyre
• Need Assistance?: If you are unable to solve the problem, then it is high time to seek assistance.
  • Key Point: Do not be ashamed to consult a professional.
  • Safety Tip: It is always risky to attempt to solve a large problem on your own.

Calling for Help

Contact Roadside Assistance

• Call Your Provider: if you have roadside assistance, then call them for assistance.
  • Key Point: Please be ready with your membership or policy number.
  • Safety Tip: Make sure they know your exact location to enable them to locate you easily
• Give Details: Include your precise coordinates, the type of issue, and any details about your car.
  • Key Point: Avoid the use of ambiguous language and try to be as specific as possible when conveying information.
  • Safety Tip: Use terms like ‘landmark’, ‘milestone’, or ‘coordinates’.

Call a Tow Truck

• Find a Reliable Service: If you do not have a towing company on your roadside assistance, then search for a reputable towing company.
  • Key Point: Open your phone and type in the search engine the towing services that are available near you and have good reviews.
  • Safety Tip: Request the time of arrival estimate.
• Stay Safe: Stay inside your car with the doors closed until the police arrive.
  • Key Point: This way you are safe because the doors are locked.
  • Safety Tip: Do not stand outside the vehicle if it is unsafe to do so.

Stay Safe While Waiting

Stay Inside the Vehicle

• Lock the Doors: Do not open the doors and keep the windows rolled up.
  • Key Point: This helps to avoid any possible dangers of coming close to your car.
  • Safety Tip: Have your phone fully charged and easily accessible.
• Stay Visible: Stay seated and ensure that you are visible to other vehicles on the road.
  • Key Point: Visibility makes you safe, especially at night.
  • Safety Tip: If you want to be seen, then use a flashlight.

Be Cautious with Strangers

• Don’t Accept Rides: Do not accept rides from strangers or accept them politely. Key Point: It is not safe to accept rides from strangers.
  • Key Point: Accepting rides from strangers can be dangerous.
  • Safety Tip: Stay for the professionals to come.
• Communicate Through the Window: If someone offers help, speak to them through an opened window but not fully.
  • Key Point: Avoid close contact with others and limit the amount of time spent talking to them.
  • Safety Tip: Always listen to your gut and do not put yourself in any dangerous situation

What to Do After Help Arrives

Follow Instructions

• Cooperate with Professionals: Do as the roadside assistance or tow truck operator instructs you to do.
  • Key Point: Remain as composed as possible and answer any questions they may have.
  • Safety Tip: Maintain a record of the services that have been offered.
• Ask Questions: If you are in doubt, do not hesitate to ask questions as to what is being done to your car.
  • Key Point: Knowledge of the process makes you aware.
  • Safety Tip: Make sure you know what is to be done with your vehicle next.

Get Your Vehicle Repaired

• Take It to a Mechanic: After towing, it is advisable to take your car to a professional mechanic for inspection and necessary repairs.
  • Key Point: It is recommended to select a reliable mechanic to get the car fixed properly.
  • Safety Tip: Do not accept any repairs without getting an estimate first.
• Follow-up: Make sure that all the repairs have been done and know any other measures that may be taken to avoid future breakdowns.
  • Key Point: Maintain a record of the repairs for future use.
  • Safety Tip: Maintenance is important to avoid future problems from arising.

Conclusion

Car breakdowns are stressful, but if you follow these steps, you can handle the situation safely and with as little stress as possible. Some of the actions that can be of great help include: keeping your cool, protecting yourself, and getting help from a roadside assistance professional.