Say you’re on a road trip. After hours of driving along a scenic road, your car engine suddenly sputters and dies to a halt. Your only option to avoid a dreaded car breakdown while traveling is to fly in a jet, like you would book a jet from Access Global, but then it won’t be a car trip again!
A car breakdown while traveling is a driver’s nightmare. However, the right prior preparation and safety tips; you can handle a car breakdown effectively and safely.
It is a harrowing experience for most drivers. In this post, we will guide you through everything you need to know on proper preparation before setting out on road trip, to staying safe while waiting for help to arrive.
Article Summary
How To Handle a Car Breakdown While Traveling
There are a few basic things you can do to minimize your chances of having a breakdown before you even start your engine:
Regular Car Maintenance
Here are some simple maintenance tips that will keep your trendy wheels ticking silently, and efficiently. Do your regular oil checks and replace it when required. Inspect your brakes and ensure that all other fluids like coolant, windshield washer, brake and clutch fluid are topped up.
Check your tires for wear and tear, and do check whether your tires are inflated to the correct pressure levels.
Check the Weather
Weather forecasts can make or break your travel plans. Check the weather before you start out on a trip. If severe weather is expected, it might be better to delay your trip or find an alternative route.
Plan Your Route
Figure out your route in advance so you can avoid bad cell reception dead zones and detours to road closures or traffic jams. If you don’t know where you are going, it’s hard to get there and even harder to ask for help if things go wrong. So use GPS and map programmes beforehand to educate yourself as to the specific route you will be taking. Then take a real, paper map with you as a backup.
What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down
A car breakdown does not have to lead to a stressful day. You can save time by following these steps to react properly in an emergency:
- Assess the damage: See if your car shuts off or not. Look under the hood to see if the engine is smoking or if there is a leak.
- Get ready for an accident: If it is dark, make sure to turn on your hazard lights and put on your reflective vest.
- Check tyre pressure: Inflate your tyres until the reading is 30 PSI.
- Find a tow truck: Call a towing service to take your car to the nearest garage.
- Take it easy: It is advisable to have a friend pick you up or take a cab if it is far, or grab something to eat and wait until a tow truck arrives to take you.
- Do not neglect details: If you need your car repaired, do not forget to call and book your appointment while you are still at the garage.
Pull Over Safely
When your car begins to have problems, start slowing down gradually and pull off the roadside to a safe place. Find a level, straight shoot of good visibility and, if possible, avoid pulling over on a curve or hill.
Use Hazard Lights
Flash your hazard lights, to alert other vehicles as to what you’re doing. Feel free to place flares or reflective triangles out there if your car is in an especially dangerous spot.
Call for Help
When you’re safely well away from the road, call for help. Contact your roadside assistance service, your insurance company, or a local towing company. Inform them of your exact location and description of the situation.
Essential Items to Carry
It is always a good idea to have prepared for a break down by putting some useful things at hand. Here is the checklist of things that should definitely in a car of every driver:
Emergency Kit
An emergency kit requirements could include First Aid Kit, light, clock battery, screwdrivers, pliers, a rope; jumper cables will also be useful as well as a tire repairing set and a spare tire.
Food and Water
Pack some snacks and bottled water just in case you are stranded. Bring stuff that won’t spoil: some granola or nut bars, trail mix with nuts and dried fruit.
Warm Clothing and Blankets
If you break down in cold weather, having a warm coat and blankets can keep you warm while you wait for help to arrive.
Roadside Assistance and Insurance
Being treated for serious illnesses can extend your life. Having roadside assistance and the right insurance coverage can help if you break down and risk dying from lack of help.
Benefits of Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance can include towing your vehicle, jump-starting your battery, changing a flat tyre, and civil lawsuits. Many of these services have apps for your phone so you can summon help in an instant.
Importance of Insurance Coverage
Make sure your policy includes roadside-assistance and towing coverage; and read it from time to time to make sure it covers your needs.
Staying Safe While Stranded
Your safety should be the number one goal until help arrives. Here’s how you can stay safe:
Stay Inside Your Car
Stay inside your car with the doors locked (preferably in a safe area) if possible so you can speak through a rolled-down window with anyone who approaches to give a helping hand.
Be Cautious with Strangers
Although most of those who are approaching are trying to go about this in the right way, be wary. Say ‘No, thank you’ to offers from strangers, and wait for the professionals to show up.
Keep Your Phone Charged
Make sure that you have a fully charged phone when the breakdown happens. Take extra batteries or portable chargers.
Conclusion
But having something handy to walk with in case of car breakdown can be a lifesaver. These suggestions will help you be ready, so that you can not only stay safe, but also stay calm and get back on the road as soon as possible. The tips also might help you save other travellers, so remember to share the tricks with your fellow travel companions. Bon voyage!
