Car Breakdown Safety

If you are involved in an accident or your car breaks down, safety should be your first concern. Getting out of the car at a busy intersection or on a highway to change a tire or check for damage are probably two of the worst things you can do. The Insurance Information Institute recommends the following precautions when these situations occur:

• Never get out of the vehicle to make a repair or examine the damage on a busy highway. If possible, drive the vehicle to a safe place before getting out. If you've had an accident, motion the other driver to pull up to a safe spot ahead.
• If you can't drive the vehicle, it may be safer to stay in the vehicle and wait for help. Use a cell phone to summon help. Under most circumstances, standing outside the vehicle in the flow of traffic is a bad idea. If you must leave your vehicle, be sure to stay behind any guardrails or well off the side of the road.
• Carry flares or triangles to alert other drivers once you get to the side of the road. Marking the location of your vehicle to give other drivers advance warning can be critical. Remember to put on your hazard lights!
• In the event of a blowout or flat tire, move the vehicle to a safer place before attempting a repair - even if it means destroying the wheel getting there. The cost of a tire, rim or wheel is minor compared to endangering your safety.