Imagine completing your usual deliveries. While driving along a busy highway, you notice that your truck is starting to make some funny noises. What do you do? Here are a few tips to keep you safe while waiting for the roadside truck repair service to arrive.
1. Get your truck off the road
When you notice the first signs of trouble, try to get off the road as gently and smoothly as possible. Get your foot off your truck’s accelerator and look for a safe place to park your vehicle. Look for a breakdown lane. You can also try parking at the side of the road. If you are driving on the interstate, look for an exit first then search for a safe place to park your truck.
Let the drivers behind you know what you are planning to do. Do not hit your brakes hard. Check your mirrors and signal if you intend to change lanes.
2. Determine when to stay inside or stay away from your truck
As much as possible, stay inside your vehicle until the police or the repair specialists arrive. Attempting to get out of your vehicle or crossing a busy interstate puts you and the other drivers on the road at risk. While inside your vehicle, don’t forget to put your hazard lights on and to call 911 using your mobile phone.
The only time you should try to get away is if you have been involved in a big-rig trucking accident or if you are in greater danger if you stay inside. Look at the traffic before you exit your car and cross the road.
Once you are outside your vehicle, try to stay as far away from it as you can. Do not stand behind or beside your vehicle. This puts you at risk of getting hit by oncoming traffic.
Call for help once you reach the side of the road. Some highways will have special phone booths that allow you to call police the. Wait patiently until help arrives.
3. Make your truck visible
It is not enough to park your truck or get your keys off the ignition. You still have to inform the other drivers still on the road that your truck is in trouble. One quick and simple way is to keep your hazard lights and parking lights on. The lights are especially beneficial when there is poor visibility.
If you have managed to park your truck safely on the breakdown lane or on the side of the road, you can put reflectorized triangles approximately 50 feet behind your vehicle. This will help mark your location and alert the other drivers that there is a car or truck stranded on the road.
Open the hood of your truck and tie a handkerchief on your vehicle’s antenna. The flag works as a signal for police officers and tow truck operators and lets them know that you need help. Use emergency flashers if you have them.
4. Always be prepared
Breakdowns can occur at any time, even if you maintain your trucks carefully. As such, your vehicle should always be stocked with breakdown essentials. Reflective or reflectorized triangles are a basic necessity. Traffic cones can also work if you don’t have the reflectorized triangles. Flags and flares are also helpful in letting other drivers know that your truck has broken down. Other items that you should consider having in stock include:
- First aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Heavy-rope
- Canned instant tire inflator
- Gloves and a blanket for winter drives and breakdowns
When your truck breaks down, keep yourself safe. Stay inside as much as possible. Don’t do any type of repairs and just wait for a tow truck or the police to arrive. Your life and safety is more important than your truck or what is inside it.