Having your vehicle break down can be a hassle to deal with, especially went it happens on a highway. Many people panic and do not know what to do in such a situation. Middle Country Automotive wants to make sure that you stay safe if this even happens to you. We are experts in all auto repair, auto inspection and brake repair services in Selden, NY 11784 and Centereach NY 11720. Your safety is our #1 priority.
Here we provide you with advice on what to do if you ever find yourself in this type of situation:
What’s the first thing you should do? If your car breaks down on the highway, see if you can safely pull your car over on the shoulder lane or an emergency lane. Keep calm. If you break down in the middle of the highway, be sure to put your hazard lights on and call 911 immediately. A unit will be sent to your location to direct traffic around your car.
Do not get out of the car and keep your seat belt on until someone arrives to help you. Getting out of your car can put you in danger of being hit by oncoming traffic. You can also call any friends or family to come and pick you up from the location of where your car was dropped off. In the event that you do not have a cell phone or a cell phone on you, most highways have call boxes along the highway. Call boxes are there in case of emergencies and are free to use. If you are crossing the highway, please be VERY CAREFUL and use hand signals to safely get across. It’s always a good idea to keep these things in your car in case of an emergency.
What to do after you call 911. Call your mechanic and see if they offer towing services. If they do, provide them with your location (if you not too far away) and they will be able to pick up you and your vehicle and get it in the shop to start repairs. If you have a Triple AAA membership, you can call for emergency roadside service.
Know where you are. The worst thing about having your car breakdown is knowing where you are, especially when you are miles from home. This can be the most fustrating part about calling for help. First and foremost, make sure you know what highway you are on. Assume that for every minute you have been driving one your are on the highway, you have gone 1 mile. This way you can explain to whoever you call for help, your approximate location. You can also mention any exits you have driven past. If there are any buildings or businesses around your location, make sure you mention them as well. Highways usually have mile markers along the highway which are exceptionally helpful in determining your location.