Staying safe while waiting for roadside assistance

So you’re driving home from a long day at work. You only have enough patience to wade through traffic and get to bed as soon as possible. But as your luck would have it, your car breaks down before you get there. What now? Here’s what you should do to be safer as you wait for roadside assistance to arrive.

1. Make yourself visible

Turn your hazard lights on to show other drivers that you are having car problems and not just slowing down. When it is safe to get out of your car, place your emergency warning triangle a few meters away from your car to alert other drivers.

2. If you’re staying inside your vehicle

Keep your seat belt on and keep your doors locked until you identify your roadside assistance company representative. Be very careful of accepting help from strangers.

3. Save your phone battery life

No matter how long the wait for roadside assistance, avoid using your phone to surf the net or be on social media so that you can save your battery life. This will come in handy in case if something goes wrong and you have to make alternative arrangements for assistance.

4. Get your emergency kit

If you don’t already have an emergency kit, this is your reminder to consider putting one together. Keep things like a torch, an emergency warning triangle, a warm jacket or blanket, snacks, water and a first aid kit in there.

5. Stay aware of your surroundings

Keep an eye out for any dangers or suspicious characters. Always keep pepper spray handy in case you have to reach for it in an emergency. Also be vigilant of signs that you need to leave your car, like smoke from the engine. In that case, wait on the side of the car where there is least traffic to avoid being hit by other vehicles.

We encourage you to take your vehicle for a Tiger Wheel and Tyre annual safety check so that you can see developing issues before they cause a breakdown.

You might also want to read this post on tyre care tips to help you keep safe on the road.

Did you know?

Momentum Multiply members get 40 points for doing the annual safety check at Tiger Wheel & Tyre and save up to 25% on Tiger Wheel & Tyer vouchers on the Multiply online shop.