What You Should Do While Waiting for a Tow Truck
Posted on: 21 November 2019
If your vehicle breaks down and you have to pull over to the side of the road and call a tow truck for assistance, you want to make sure that you know what to do when you break down. You want to protect yourself and be ready when the tow truck arrives.
Step #1: Find a Place to Park Safely
The first thing you need to do is guide your vehicle to a safe parking area. If your vehicle is still able to drive, it is best to park your vehicle somewhere off the road, where your vehicle will be safe. If you are pulled over into a parking lot, that is often the best option.
The second-best option is to pull as far over on the shoulder of the road as you can. After you pull over on the side of the road, be sure to put on your emergency blinkers. If you carry flairs in your car, get out and set them up so that oncoming traffic can spot your car as they approach. Even when you are on the side of the road, you don't want people zipping by you at fast rates.
Step #2: Make Phone Calls
If you were involved in an accident, you need to call the police to report the accident. Most towns will send a police officer out to take a statement and to keep the accident scene safe while you wait for a tow truck.
If there was no accident, you can just call a tow truck. Let the towing company in the local area know where you are parked as precisely as you can.
Step #3: Get Your Belongings Together
It may take a little while for the tow truck to get to your location, but you want to be ready to go when the tow truck gets there. You are going to want to gather up anything that you want to take with you when the tow truck arrives.
For example, you are going to want to grab your purse or wallet, cell phone, and computer. If you have anything of significant value, either sentimental or monetary, you are going to want to grab that as well. Grabbing your stuff now will save you from having to return to your vehicle later to grab what you need.
Step #4: Keep Your Cool
Having your vehicle break down is generally not a good experience. However, you should try to maintain your cool as you wait. You have called for help, and there is nothing more you can do about the situation you are in other than wait for help to arrive and arrange to get your vehicle taken care of. If your vehicle is parked in a safe location, wait inside of your vehicle for the tow truck. If your vehicle isn't parked somewhere safe, move to a safe location to wait for the tow truck.
Share