Five Tips for Staying Safe While Waiting for Roadside Assistance in Centre County, PA

You see cars broken down on the side of the road all the time. Problems range from flat tires to engine trouble to empty gas tanks, all of which roadside assistance professionals are trained to deal with. It’s essential that you call for assistance as soon as possible so you’re not having to wait long in a broken-down car for help to arrive.

Anyone who drives or rides in a car often should know what to do in the event of a breakdown. Here are five tips for staying safe while waiting for roadside assistance in Centre County, PA:

• Pull over ASAP: Vehicle breakdowns can happen anywhere, but breaking down in the middle of the road—especially on the freeway—is the most dangerous spot for you and other motorists. To avoid causing an accident, start pulling over as soon as you notice your vehicle acting strange. Get off the road completely, if safe to do so, to put as much space between you and other vehicles.
• Be visible: It’s extremely important to stay visible when waiting for a tow truck for roadside assistance. Next to breaking down in a busy lane, not being visible to other motorists is a top cause of accidents. Others may not see you in time to stop or go around your vehicle. For this reason, make sure to keep reflective triangles, cones or flares in your emergency road kit, and turn on your hazard lights. Place illuminations around your car to alert other drivers that you are stopped.
• Stay inside the vehicle: Ideally, you should not exit your vehicle when it breaks down. The only time you should move away from your vehicle is when it’s absolutely safe and you’re far away from oncoming traffic. If you do get out of your car, stand at least five feet away off to the side of the road. Never stand next to or behind your car. If you’re in a questionable or poorly-lit area, stay in your vehicle with the doors locked until assistance comes.
• Use your phone wisely: It’s good to always leave the house with a fully-charged cell phone. You never know when your car might break down and need to call for help, and you can use your phone GPS to find your location to give to roadside assistance. Also, call or text a friend or family member to let them know of your predicament and whether help is on the way or they need to come rescue you. Don’t use your phone too much—a drained battery makes reaching out later impossible.
• Call roadside assistance: Strangers might stop to offer their help while you’re waiting for roadside assistance to arrive. Although this is a nice gesture, be wary of anyone other than family, friends and your roadside assistance provider. If you know that official assistance is on the way, there’s no reason to accept help from anyone else or flag down a passing motorist.

S & R Repairs Towing & Recovery Inc. provides the most reliable roadside assistance in Centre County, PA. Call us 24/7 for the help you need!

Categorised in: Roadside Assistance