How To Safely Wait For A Tow Truck

If you drive a car regularly, chances are at some point or another you will experience car problems while out and about. In some instances, you car might be rendered inoperable and you will have to call a towing company to come tow your car to a mechanic. In the event that your car does break down and you need to wait for a tow truck to arrive, there are a few things that you should do to remain safe while you are waiting for your tow truck.

If Possible, Move Your Car

If your care can still operate, even marginally, the most important thing you can do to stay safe is to move it as far away from traffic as possible. Take advantage of any large shoulders that exist on the road, and move your car to the very edge of the pavement. This will not only make it easier for you to get in and out of your car without having to worry about being struck by traffic, but it will also help ensure that oncoming traffic doesn't strike your vehicle, damaging it further. 

Use Hazard Lights and Reflective Gear 

In order to ensure that your car is seen by other driver's on the road, as soon as you have moved it out of the way you should turn your hazards on. This not only indicates that your car is there, but it shows other drivers that it is stopped and not going to be moving anytime soon. If you can't move your car immediately turn your hazards on. Otherwise, oncoming traffic won't be aware that your car is stopped dead in it's tracks on the road. This tip is especially important if you find yourself broken down at night, as visibility becomes greatly limited, even with streetlights and the headlight's from traffic. 

You should have reflective triangles in your car at all times in case of a situation where your car has failed. After you have turned your hazards on, place reflective triangles at the rear, middle, and front of your vehicle. The triangles should be placed about a foot away from your car. This serves to further increase visibility. 

Stay Inside Your Car

Even if you have moved your car off of the road to the shoulder, you should stay inside for maximum impact. In 2013, close to 5,000 pedestrians were killed in the USA due to being struck by a car or motor vehicle. If you linger outside of your vehicle, the chances increase that you will get struck by passing traffic. Even if you are on the shoulder, distracted drivers could still veer outside of their proper lanes and strike you. 

Not only should you stay in your vehicle to prevent being hit by a car, but you should stay in your car to protect yourself from potential thieves or unsavory characters that may try to approach you while you are stranded. Stay inside, keep your vehicle locked, and if you must roll down the window only roll it down partially. 

Ask For ID From The Tow Truck Operator

Your tow truck has arrived, but you aren't safe yet! Unfortunately, there are many people out there who might try to take advantage of your situation and impersonate a tow truck driver. They might do this to either rob you or try to steal your vehicle from you, entirely. 

When you call the towing service, ask for the license plate number of the truck that is going to be sent to save you. You should also ask for the badge number of the tow truck driver, if applicable. When the tow truck arrives, verify that the license plate and driver's badge number match the ones given to you by the company. 

Keep these safety tips in mind the next time you find yourself stranded and waiting patiently for help. Be smart about how you wait in order to stay safe and get back home without anything bad happening to you, or your car.