A car breakdown on the highway is one of the most stressful moments that any road user can encounter. Safety and quick decision-making are critical when a car is speeding past you and there is no room to swerve. Although no one expects their car to break down on a busy street, it does occur more frequently than average- either the engine can fail, tires can become flat, the vehicle can overheat, or the electrical systems can go defective. Being aware of the way of reaction will enable you to make the difference between a successful consignment and an unsafe situation.
This post suggests several steps on how to act in case of a car failure on the highway, precautions to exercise, and, in case of an emergency, seeking professional assistance.
Step 1: Remaining Calm, Aware
The initial and most critical activity is to be calm. Panic only blurs judgment, and this blurs anyone at a greater risk. Breathe, evaluate, and prioritise safety, your own, your passengers and other motorists.
When a vehicle is experiencing visible or audible warning signs, such as smoke, loss of power, or strange noises, a safe place to pull over should be sought. Operating as soon as possible provides the flexibility of choice and eliminates sudden halting in areas that are hazardous.
Step 2: Go to a Secure Place
Try to drive as far as possible to the shoulder of a highway, emergency stopping lane or exit ramp. When overtaking, your mirrors and your signals should help you prevent collisions as you switch lanes. When the vehicle remains in motion but is losing power, please do not wait for it to stop entirely, but bring it to a safe stop before it does.
Should your car be unable to move in a traffic lane, do turn on your hazard lights to warn other motorists. In this situation, the first thing that you need to do is to get out of the car, if you can do so safely, depending on the problem at hand on the road. It is very dangerous to stand around your vehicle in the middle of active traffic.
Step 3: Hazard lights on and Warning Signals
Using your hazard lights whenever you have to stop, in an emergency, you and your vehicle are your best defence. Have them flicked on immediately so that you become more visible to oncoming drivers.
Put reflective triangles, cones, or flares in the back of your car at a reasonable distance. The guideline recommended here is
- ten feet beside and behind the vehicle in the city or other slow-moving traffic
- A poor car can cover 100 feet in high traffic circumstances
- In low visibility (such as night or fog, etc.), it can go up to 200-300 feet
This precautionary step allows other drivers to react as they shift lanes.
Step 4: Evaluation of the Situation out of danger
As soon as you have secured your car, remain inside the vehicle with your belt on, particularly when you are next to fast-moving traffic. Stepping out of the car should only be done in case you are sure that it is safe to do so- ex, when you can pull onto a broad shoulder or an emergency bay.
Should you have to get outside the vehicle, make sure you step out on the passenger side so you do not step out against the oncoming traffic. Always have the most significant possible distance between you and the roadway as well as your passengers.
Step 5: Call for Help
Once the safety is ensured, assistance should be set. The situation may require that you use towing, roadside repair, or emergency services.
If you feel like you are in immediate danger (such as your car is blocked in a travel lane or near a blind curve), call 911 first. For mechanical issues where you need professional help, contact a towing company near me to move your car to a repair facility. Breakdowns can cause a lot of stress and risk, including road accidents, and this is something that professional towing services are equipped to address quickly.
More minor issues, such as a flat tire, a dead battery, or running out of gas, may also ask where in your area you can look to find roadside assistance to get back on the road without necessarily having to get towed. These include jump-starts, fuel delivery, and tire changes, so that it is convenient.
Step 6: Utilise Your Roadside Assistance Plan
It is easy to think that a roadside assistance membership is unnecessary until you have to find yourself broken down. If you are covered by an insurance, automaker or auto club, it is now time to utilise that service. Save their contact number on your cell phone so that you can reach them easily.
Roadside assistance may be a time-saving benefit and helps to ease the stress, and in some situations, keep towing costs to a minimum when an issue can be rectified roadside.
Step 7: Make Yourself Safe during Waiting
- The car can wait for a very long time, especially during rush hour. Use this time well.
- Stay in the vehicle with the doors locked.
- It is better not to position yourself outside traffic lanes
- Wait outside, behind a guardrail or as far away from the roadway as possible, only in case you are forced to do so.
- Keep your cell phone charged and keep a person with you during your commute, so you know where you are.
- Water, snacks and a flashlight in your emergency kit can make the waiting less stressful and less tense.
Step 8: Prevent Future Breakdowns
Although there are unpredictable breakdowns, by maintaining the car regularly, the occurrence of these breakdowns has been minimised. These are the significant preventative actions:
- Regularly check fluids-Make sure that your fluids (engine oil, coolant, and transmission fluid) are at the proper level.
- Check tires – tire wear, tread inflation and alignment.
- Keep your battery in good condition –clean the battery terminals of corrosion and replace your battery every 3-5 years.
- Check your brakes –Sounds like strange or weakened brakes should be inspected immediately.
- Arrange regular checks – Qualified mechanics will be able to recognise problems before they get out of hand.
The Imports of Professional Towing Services
Once your car has broken down, safety and time are also considered essential. Being on a highway from where you are trying to fix the issue can be so risky. This is why professional towing services are the answer in cases of emergencies.
The truth is that a quality towing company will never just tow your car- they will also get it to the correct repair shop, safely giving you the peace of mind that you deserve. Technicians at a company like Tri-State Auto Care are available to offer quick, safe towing and roadside service to help drivers get back on the road soon and in the safest way possible.
No matter if it is a small problem or a huge malfunction, it is essential to have access to well-proven professionals.
Final Thoughts
Getting the car stuck on the highway is stressful; however, with the proper measures, one can manage and stay safe during such a situation. Your best bet is always to keep safety first, prioritise by moving to a secure place, using hazard signals and staying inside your car where traffic is heavy. After that, invite professional assistance to have your vehicle dealt with as soon as possible.
Whether you need a reliable towing service or are searching for roadside assistance near me, knowing who to call makes all the difference. Working with familiar names, such as Tri-State Auto Care, you can be sure that when you need assistance, it will still not be long before you have some help on the way.
