When your car breaks down on route with your family, it can be frightening. You are in an unfamiliar place; you have no idea what you’re going to do and where you will go next. The first step is always not panicking! It’s important that when something like this happens, you have emergency preparation tips handy so that you know exactly what to do next. In this article, we will discuss some of these emergency preparation tips so that hopefully, if anything ever happens again, things will be easier for you!

Via Pexels

Be Prepared!

  • Have a spare tire and tools in your trunk
  • Let someone know where you are going, when to expect you there and what route you will be taking. If possible, take a GPS with an offline map on it *in case* of internet service being unavailable or spotty. Do not rely solely on the phone for navigation
  • Pack a winter emergency kit including blankets, hats, gloves, boots, food, and water. If you are traveling in an area known for severe weather conditions (i.e., snowstorms, blizzards), consider packing chains/cables to put on your tires as well
  • Fill up your gas tank whenever you have the opportunity. Breaking down in a remote area can be extremely dangerous if you do not have access to fuel

Make Your Vehicle Visible To Other Drivers

Firstly move your car out of harm’s way if it is possible. For example, if your vehicle has broken down on a motorway or dual carriageway, try to get it as far over to the hard shoulder as possible. If you cannot move the vehicle safely, put on your hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic. Make sure to have warning triangles with you and station them at 50-metre intervals around the car.

Assess The Damage

If it is safe enough to get out of your vehicle, assess the damages. The last thing you want is to travel a long distance only for your vehicle to have more damage than it did before.

If there are no visible damages, check under the car and inspect that everything is in order from fluid leaks or other complications which may require immediate attention.

Find Help

Phone an emergency number if possible. If anything does appear wrong with your car, get a professional to inspect the vehicle as quickly as possible.

If there are visible damages, then you should contact a mechanic for a quote on how much it will cost to repair your car and make arrangements with them if you plan to leave the area or not. If none of these options work out, consider leaving your car where it is until help arrives.

If you are in a rural area at night and you have no network signal, you might be able to find help from locals on the road or nearby houses. If you reach a small town, call for help and use your judgement if it is safe to stay in the car or walk around. Somebody might be able to help you with an off-road vehicle powered by volvo penta if you are stuck in a snowstorm or a landslide due to bad weather.

If your car breaks down while on the road, it is crucial to stay calm and take the necessary steps to get yourself and your vehicle safely off the roadway. Remember you and your family’s safety always comes first. A little preparedness can go a long way for your safety and prevent your holiday from being ruined. Stay safe and be prepared this holiday season.