Having your vehicle break down on the road is not only unnerving, but it’s also a safety issue.
Here are road safety tips for managing a vehicle breakdown in Texas.
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Pull over to a Safe Location
If your car develops issues while you’re on the road, the first thing you should do is to get it off the road so that you can assess the situation. Here is how to safely pull over:
- Indicate to other drivers that you’ve slowed down or/and you’re having car troubles by turning on your hazard lights.
- Once you’re on the side, shift to park, engage your emergency brake, and turn the steering wheel away from traffic or the road.
- If your car stalls on a busy highway, don’t get out of the vehicle.
- If possible, exit the highway and pull over to a safer location.
- Once you’re off the road, you should use the side that’s not facing traffic to get out of the vehicle. Stand on the side that’s close to the shoulder, which is a safe spot if other vehicles are passing.
- Don’t stand behind or in front of your vehicle where you can be hit if the vehicle rolls.
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Stock Your Car with Useful Items
Here are useful items you should keep in your vehicle in case of a broken-down car, roadside emergencies, or accidents:
- Insurance: phone number of the agent, insurance card, 1-800 number of your insurer
- Cellular phone
- Maps, road atlas
- Container of motor oil
- Container with a few gallons of gas
- Warning triangles, emergency flares, or cones
- Reflective vest
- First aid kit (RedCross has a free first aid app )
- Toolbox with a small hammer, wrenches, and screwdrivers
- Jack for your tires
- Jumper cables
- Spare tire
- A bottle of water in case your engine overheats
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Stay Visible to Others on the Road
While having vehicle trouble on the road, you can easily get struck by other vehicles. Here is how to protect yourself and other motorists:
- If it’s daytime, turn on the emergency blinkers to indicate to oncoming motorists that your car isn’t moving.
- If you aren’t stuck in heavy traffic, and especially if it’s night time, quickly place reflective markers or warning lights about six feet behind your car to alert other motorists.
- Call for help
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Get Roadside Assistance
If you experience car trouble on the road, your roadside assistance will link you with professionals who can help you. Your roadside assistance coverage also covers the expenses of emergency roadside service. Roadside services can be costly if you don’t have a plan, especially if your vehicle develops issues miles from the closest mechanic or gas station.
Here is how to get a roadside assistance plan that suits you:
- You can buy the coverage through your auto insurance company
- You can join an auto club
- Some credit card companies offer roadside assistance
- If your car is new, the manufacturer may offer a free plan.
Most insurers offer roadside assistance as an add-on to the policy. Cost and benefits vary by insurer, but the standard roadside assistance coverage includes:
- Dead battery
- Gas deliver
- Flat tire
- Lockout assistance
- Towing
Typically, you’ll get the cheapest roadside assistance coverage from your insurer. At Reata Insurance Group, we will help you find an affordable insurance policy that adequately protects you. Contact us today to get started on your personalized auto insurance in Texas.
