This past spring, Monkey Boy’s car broke down on the side of the road. He called us for help, so we hopped in the car and headed out to rescue him. We couldn’t fix the problem, so we had to wait with him for 90 minutes for a tow truck. Good thing I wore my slippers out of the house for what I thought would be a quick trip! 😉 While we were waiting, I began writing a post in my mind so I could share some tips on what to do if you find your car broken and yourself stranded on the side of the road {preferably NOT in slippers}. Here’s what I came up with:
Get the vehicle off the road: If you can coast to the side of the road {away from any curves or hills}, do that. If the vehicle is so disabled it is stopped where it is, leave it in traffic but DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR! So many people are hit and killed each year when they exit their broken down vehicles to try to get to safety. You’re much safer if you’re surrounded by all that metal and steel if someone accidentally plows into you!
Turn on your flashers: Immediately turn on your hazards. If you are in a light traffic area {so no freeways!}, and it’s dark, place whatever emergency lights, cones, flares, whatever red or light up stuff you have in the vehicle about 6 feet behind it to signal to oncoming drivers that there is a stalled vehicle ahead. If your battery is dead so flashers are not an option, pop your hood. Immediately get back in the vehicle after doing so.
Call for help: If you have cell service, call for a tow truck. It’s always best to call family or friends and keep them updated as to what’s going on. If you have no cell service and your hood is popped and hazards are on, start hoping a Good Samaritan pulls over to assist you. If you don’t feel comfortable getting out of the vehicle, roll down your window a bit and ask them to call for help while you remain in the vehicle.
Try to avoid becoming a human pancake: Whatever you do, never try to cross freeway traffic and never stand on the traffic side outside your vehicle for any reason.
Here’s hoping you never have to use any of this advice!!
Stay safe,
~Mavis
Heather says
When I was in high school my Dad made a sign to always keep in our car that read CALL 911 PLEASE so that we could put it in the window for help without getting out of the vehicle or to talk to people while keeping our doors locked.
Melissa M. says
I had to chuckle at your memory because my then 18 year old sister was driving 3 hours by herself to see me. I made her make a sign with my phone number to show through the window in case she had car trouble. This was before cell phones were common. She knew it was for her own good but she hated it! Lol
Carolina says
The best investment I have ever made has been AAA @ $49 a year. There are many years that I have not needed to use it, but that is okay. In the last 2 weeks, on 2 different occasions, I have had both a dead battery and flat tire. I called them, and they responded quickly. They checked the battery, showed me on a print out that I needed a new one, which they installed quickly and I was on my way. The flat, a week later, was caused by a nail in the tire, which once again was quickly repaired and re-inflated. If he does not have it all ready, perhaps AAA membership would be a good stocking stuffer for Monkey Boy? All of you advice of course, as always, was spot on.
Susan says
What does the tow truck driver do when the person stops their car
in the pointy end of the “V” (two freeways merging together) ?
I saw someone do that the other day (and I’ve seen it before).
It seems very dangerous. Does the tow truck pull the car back so it can be
worked on in safety? It seems like the tow truck driver would be mowed down
by a distracted driver if he tried to change a tire or pop a hood or whatever
with merging, speeding cars going by on both sides…
Or does the tow truck driver just not stop to help at all and calls Hwy Patrol
to hut down lanes (or whatever) ?
Gertrude Ezell says
Also see how much it is through your insurance for roadside assistance, and its great, it has unlimited towing too. Its a pretty minimal cost too. Sometimes work and the membership clubs offer discounted roadside assistance programs too. I also really like the flashlights that have the flashing handle (https://www.amazon.com/Life-Gear-Flashlight-Emergency-Compartment/dp/B004D2Z1A0 – I have these in the vehicle ) and newer ones have magnetic bases to attach to the vehicle too, in case the flashers won’t work.
Lisa says
Have been also waiting for the second season of the Crown! WooHoo just found it in Netflix!
Mrs. M. says
I thought some of the “normal” things to do when you’re broke down was a “no-brainer” until my husband and I stopped to assist a family of stranded travelers one evening. I stayed in the car, and he got out to assist. We were on a highway just after a curve, and the occupants of the stranded vehicle were constantly getting in and out of their vehicle. The younger members, teenagers, were standing outside of the vehicle on the TRAFFIC SIDE of the car messing with their phones! They had no awareness to the traffic flying towards and beside them at over 75 mph!
I already had our flashers on to make our vehicle more visible, but since I was in the driver’s seat, I would also tap my brakes when a vehicle was approaching in the nearest lane to try and be more visible.
We’ve stopped to help stranded motorists on many occasions, but this particular incident was nerve-wracking because the kids were putting themselves in danger… and the adults allowed it.
I was grateful when the State Troopers arrived to assist, and we could leave.