Drivers should know inevitably their car may break down while they are on a highway. Though there is generally a warning sign that a car is not in its best condition to be driven on the road, cars break down for different reasons whether it is due to a flat tire, a malfunctioning radiator, an overheated engine, or any other issue that they cannot yet notice.
Be calm
The moment you realize that your vehicle on the road is going to break down, don’t get nervous. A cooling head is important at this stage as making decisions when you are nervous or angry is not the right way. Understanding this fact is significant to everything that goes after realizing that you have a damaged car. Hasty reactions must be avoided at the time of realizing that the car is not working as it needs to be. It is great for anyone who finds themselves in this kind of situation to maintain composure and follow the below-mentioned steps.
Don’t hurry up to get off your car
When the car breaks down, be careful about the location and surroundings. In several countries, carjacking is a threat whenever a car breaks down. Where carjacking is widespread, causing a breakdown is one of the major methods used for capturing the unwary victims. This is so because when a car breaks down, it develops the opportunity for the gangsters to take benefit and jump inside the car and start driving. So, after you are calm, have a look at the car windows, and if it is very dark, keep the lights on if you feel uncomfortable with the place call someone for assistance instantly before you inspect the car. Another reason not to get off your car quickly is traffic. If your vehicle breaks down on a highway, it can be risky to get out of it instantly. Assess the traffic and make sure you get out of the car only when the road is clear.
Get off the road
Before you come out of the car to examine the problem of breakdown, put your hazards on, put handbrake, and then shut the engine off. Get you to hazard signals and put on the road from back and front to alert other motorists. If you have a cloth, mainly with a bright colour, you can wave it around. When it is safe to come out of your car, the next important step is to ensure that you get your vehicle off the road. By this time, a patrol officer should come for your help. If you are on a highway, ensure that you move your car on the outermost lane to not create more traffic. If it is hard to move the car, switch on the hazard light if it is day and if it is night, switch on the interior lights.
Call for help
This world is full of good people who would help anyone who needs assistance. From the moment you put your errors on, the chances are that a helpful stranger will try to help you. If someone comes to help you from their own volition, then the next important step is to call for assistance. Also, call your insurance if required and tell them that your vehicle breaks down. Keep in mind, an extra hand will be helpful with ease and save you the time that you spend repairing the vehicle on your own, no matter how insignificant it is, so do not shy away from any assistance and ensure to appreciate it.