Handling Roadside Emergencies

Motorists should not let a growing reliance on mobile technologies—such as wireless telephones, in-car navigation systems and satellite global positioning systems—replace common-sense in anticipating and reacting to roadside emergency situations.

To help understand your rights and responsibilities at the roadside, AAA has published a brochure, What to Do When Your Vehicle Breaks Down.

An increased use of mobile communication technologies by motorists has made it more important to re-emphasize the difference safe conduct and clear thinking can make during a vehicle breakdown. New technologies enable motorists to gather and transmit more information than ever before from remote locations. Still, the need to take preventative measures to avoid vehicle trouble, stay alert to one’s surroundings and know how to react on the shoulder of a busy highway is as great as ever.

Before seeking assistance:
• Note your vehicle’s location – wireless technologies don’t always work in remote areas, and in-car systems may be useless if your vehicle experiences electrical failure. Be aware of landmarks, specific addresses, highway numbers and exits.

• Assess Your Vehicle’s Problem – Watch for warning lights on the instrument panel and listen for odd noises, or a change in vehicle
handling characteristics.

• Pull Off the Road – Switch on the safety /emergency flashers. On most roads, pull on to the far right shoulder as far as possible. If your vehicle loses power in the roadway, set the emergency brake and place flares or warning triangles well behind the vehicle—be extremely careful of other traffic.

• Alert Other Motorists – Make sure your vehicle is visible to other motorists. Use emergency flashers or flares, raise your vehicle’s hood and tie a brightly colored handkerchief or scarf to the antenna or door handle.

The booklet also contains information about what to do after ensuring your
personal safety.

Stop by your local AAA Vacations the Travel Store to get a copy of, What to do When Your Vehicle Breaks Down, or mail a self-addressed, stamped, legal-size
envelope to Traffic Safety Services Dept., AAA East Penn, P.O. Box 1910, Allentown, PA 18105-1910.

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Published in the June 2001 issue of the AAA Traveler.