Literally Stuck On The Side Of The Road? 3 Things To Do While You Wait For A Tow
Driving in hazardous conditions requires taking all of the right precautions. Still, driving slowly and giving plenty of space to the other cars around you is not always enough to prevent running off the road. When you find yourself stuck in a rain-filled ditch or trying to get out of a mound of snow, it is normal for your anxiety to run high. To avoid causing more damage to your property or health, use these tips to stay calm and get out of the situation safely.
Identify Your Conditions
When you call for towing services, it is best to be able to give as much information as possible so that your driver can arrive with the right type of truck and equipment to deal with the situation properly. Let them know if you have a specialized vehicle such as a luxury car or four-wheel drive truck. It is also important to be able to tell them your precise location along with other details such as the road conditions. Knowing if you are in mud, snow, or a deep ditch will ensure that they are prepared to help with winch-out services.
Don't Dig a Deeper Hole
In some instances, it is possible to get your car free using techniques such as putting down cat litter to create traction in shallow depths of snow. However, trying to spin your wheels in a muddy culvert can actually cause your vehicle to go lower into the ground. When this happens, you increase the difficulty of your rescue and can cause damage to the undercarriage of your vehicle. Going too deep into water can also ruin your engine by choking out the air flow. Instead, risk the urge to panic, and let anyone else who offers to help know that assistance is on the way.
Use Your Emergency Roadside Kit
Getting stuck usually occurs when there are unsafe conditions already occurring that led to your accident. Make sure that other vehicles are aware that you are on the side of the road by using your emergency flares and turning on your hazard lights. If possible, get as far away from the road as you can in case another car skids on the same place you did. Then, protect yourself from the weather elements by staying in your car if it is stuck in a safe place, or use personal protection gear such as rain jackets or blankets to stay warm and dry until help arrives if you are forced to wait outside.
Accidentally winding up in a ditch or getting stuck in sand and snow is upsetting. Yet don't let embarrassment or fear drive you to place your health or car at risk. By knowing how to handle the situation until a pro arrives, you can minimize the damage while you wait for your car to be freed.
