3 Safe Places to Wait for Roadside Assistance

Breaking down on the side of the road is an unpleasant experience that can happen to anyone, and a lot of drivers are unprepared when it comes to being in this kind of situation. Calling for roadside assistance is one of the best things you can do when this happens.

However, it’s essential that you know where to wait until they get there to ensure that you, your family, and your vehicle are all safe. Below, we’ll cover 3 safe places to wait for roadside assistance.

 

1. The Right Shoulder of the Road

The vast majority of highways have a shoulder on the right side where you can park your car in an emergency. If your vehicle is breaking down, try to keep it going long enough to maneuver it onto the right shoulder of the road so you can get out of the way of traffic until help arrives.

If you don’t get your car onto the shoulder, you’ll be blocking the road. Not only will this be extremely dangerous for you, but it will also put other drivers in danger. Some of the other cars on the road will be able to avoid your vehicle, though others may not be so fortunate.

There’s a high probability of being hit by another car and causing more injuries, damages, and possibly even death if you’re stopped on the road. Just remember to do everything you can to get your vehicle onto the right shoulder of the road quickly and safely if you’re breaking down.

 

2. Inside Your Vehicle

The only time you should get out of your car while waiting on roadside assistance is if you’re in immediate danger, such as if your car is smoking or your car is too close to traffic. It’s best to stay in the car with your seatbelt on until help arrives.

Remember that your vehicle is much more visible than you are, so staying in it will lower the chance of being hit by another driver by accident. Staying in your car is especially important if you’re stranded during the night, in a storm, or in an unsafe place. Keep your vehicle’s doors locked and don’t walk around your car as it may garner attention from potential criminals that might try to take advantage of your unfortunate situation.

 

3. Away From Oncoming Traffic

As we’ve discussed, you should strive to park your car off the road and away from traffic. However, that may not always be possible, depending on your location. If you’re stranded on a busy street and feel unsafe due to the high traffic, go with your gut and get out of the car.

Remember to leave the vehicle through the passenger side door to keep yourself as far away from traffic as possible. Be extremely careful and stay as far away from the traffic as you safely can while remaining in your vehicle’s vicinity. If you have something on hand, a piece of fluorescent clothing is recommended to make yourself more visible to oncoming traffic.

 

What Next?

Depending on your specific situation, one or more of these locations will be the best place for you to wait for roadside assistance. Once you know you’re safe, the next thing to do is calmly wait for your roadside assistance to arrive. Most companies won’t make you wait for more than around a half-hour, depending on the time of day and your location. Once help gets there, you should be all set to either get back on the road or at least get home safely. Always remember to stay alert and aware of your surroundings!