What To Do While Waiting For Your Tow Truck
If your car breaks down or you blow a tire on the side of the road, one of the best things you can do is call roadside assistance for a tow truck. Towing companies are used to dealing with emergencies like yours, and they will haul your car -- and you -- to a safe place where you can further seek repairs for your car. But tow trucks can take a while to arrive. What should you do while you wait?
Turn on your hazard lights.
Even if it is light outside, turn on the hazard lights on your car. This will make it more visible to anyone who passes by, reducing the risk of having someone run into your vehicle. In most cars, you turn the hazard lights on by pushing a button with a red triangle on it. Once on, the lights should begin flashing on and off.
Move the car, if needed.
If the car is not on the shoulder of the road already, you should make an effort to move it to the shoulder -- as long as you're able to do so safely. Have one person sit in the vehicle and steer, while the other pushes the car from the back as it is in neutral. If you are all alone, you can wait for a passerby to offer to help move your car, or if you have enough space to do so safely, you can try moving the car by opening the driver's side door and pushing it forward by the frame above the door. This way, you can reach in and turn the wheel as needed.
If you think it will be unsafe to move the car, leave it where it is -- but get out of the car and seek shelter elsewhere. Leaving your car in traffic is one thing. Sitting in a car stalled in the middle of traffic is very dangerous.
Gather your belongings.
Once the tow truck arrives, they will need to work fast to haul your truck out of the way. Gather all of your things in one place so that when the truck does arrive, you can grab your items and go quickly.
Watch out for others.
While you might want to assume everyone who passes you and offers to help is kind, the truth is that there are some not-well-meaning people in this world. Be very wary of accepting help from others, especially if you are all alone. The safest thing to do is wait for the professional tow truck drivers to arrive.
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