As a woman, being stranded on the side of the road with car trouble can be a frightening experience. Whether driving alone or in the company of friends and family, dealing with a vehicle breakdown is stressful and intimidating. Fortunately, help is available, and there are steps you can take to ensure your safety and limit any potential damage to your car or yourself.
Remain Calm
A vehicle breakdown is an unexpected event that leaves many feeling overwhelmed and worried about what could happen next. To avoid making matters worse, try to remain calm and think positively about handling this unfamiliar situation. Take a few deep breaths if needed, as staying composed will make it easier for you to think clearly and make sound decisions when it comes to fixing your vehicle.
Pull Over
Once you notice something is wrong with your car, safely pull over to the side of the road as soon as possible and turn on your hazard lights. If you’re in a traffic jam, try to steer clear from other vehicles in case anything goes wrong such as a fire or a minor collision caused by a sudden stop.
Assess The Situation
When you get out of your car, take the time to assess the situation from a distance and make sure it’s safe for you to stay there until help arrives. If you feel uncertain about remaining near your car due to heavy traffic, unusual weather conditions, or suspicious people hanging around, try to get away as soon as possible and seek help.
Call For Assistance
If you’re feeling helpless, don’t hesitate to ask for help from nearby strangers or call a tow truck/roadside assistance service if your car is covered by insurance. Be sure to inform the person on the other end of the line about the current location of your vehicle and any details regarding its condition so they can provide an accurate estimate of their arrival time and what services they may be able to offer you.
Stay Visible
Once everything is set in motion, remember that it’s important to remain visible while waiting for assistance. In order to do this, keep your hazard lights on and try to stay close to any street lamps nearby. If possible, ask for a friend or family member to pick you up in case you feel unsafe waiting alone.
Car troubles can happen anytime and anywhere, but that doesn’t mean you should be left alone with no way of getting help when it does occur. Following the above steps can help ensure that your vehicle breakdown experience is as stress-free and safe as possible. Be sure to also take care of yourself by staying calm and alert and keeping an eye out for suspicious people or vehicles. Taking these precautions can help ensure your safety in the event of a breakdown and keep you prepared to react quickly in case of any unexpected issues.
