Nobody ever expects their car to suddenly break down. Sure, there may have been warning signs that your ride may have been in need of service or repair (such as suspicious sounds coming from beneath the hood or a slow ignition), but many of us are completely blindsided by these automotive issues.
While a roadside breakdown can be a serious annoyance, they can also be quite dangerous to yourself and your passengers. If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, please pay attention to these three safety tips to help keep you from serious danger if you ever find yourself broken down on the side of Interstate H-1.
Pull your car over.
The first thing you want to do if your car breaks down is to make sure you and your passengers are out of harm’s way. That means that you’ll want to ensure you are out of the path of oncoming vehicles and aren’t blocking the roadways. Once you are safely on the shoulder, or at least out of traffic, turn on your hazard lights. That way you’ll be more visible and at less risk of getting hit by other drivers.
Don’t exit your vehicle.
It’ll be tempting to get out of your car after it breaks down. After all, you’ll probably want to inspect any damage and pop the hood to see what’s causing the problems with your car. Please resist the urge to get exit your vehicle. While you may have the skill and knowledge to repair whatever issue caused your breakdown, if you get out of your car, you’re increasing your risk of getting hit by an oncoming car. For your own sake, and for the wellbeing of your passengers, stay safely behind the wheel until help arrives.
Call the authorities.
Of course, for help to actually arrive, you need to make sure you reach out to them. If you or your passengers are injured, you need to first dial 911. Try to give the operator a clear description of your whereabouts so they can find you as quickly as possible. If you’re not hurt, you can still call the police to alert them of your breakdown. Next, you should reach out to us at (808) 798-5222 so we can help you with towing your vehicle. You’ll also want to notify your insurance company as soon as possible, too, so you can start the process of filing a claim.
An unexpected breakdown can be downright frustrating and even terrifying. To prevent a minor hiccup from ending in tragedy, please make sure you always follow these three safety tips. No matter the time of day, you can depend on us here at Transport Oahu Towing & Freight Services for all of your towing and transportation needs. For more information about our towing services, please reach out to us today!