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| Photo Credit: marshallbatteries.com.au |
Can I tell you a secret? I haven’t always driven a Honda. I know, I know.... the HORROR! But it’s true. So before my carefree Honda days, I sometimes had a little trouble getting from point A to B without incident. Like the time I was bee-bopping up the freeway at normal Utah fast lane speeds... You know, somewhere between the posted limit and what hopefully won’t get you a ticket... and my car began to shudder like I was having a personal earthquake. I managed to white knuckle it to safety, but there really wasn’t much of a shoulder. I didn’t dare get out of the car because I was so close to oncoming traffic in the right lane. So I sat there, hoping my car wasn’t about to explode. I didn’t see or smell any smoke, so I figured I was safe for the moment.
Then, I started making phone calls. First, I called my mom. You should always call your mom and freak her out but good when you’re stranded on the side of the freeway. Moms REALLY love that. Of course she told me to call a tow truck and then suggested maybe my dad should just come and rescue me. I didn’t think my car was drivable... but I also didn’t to be stuck with potentially-terrifying-tow-truck-guy all alone. (I might have been feeling a little panicky and vulnerable at the moment.) We hashed it out for a few minutes before deciding to send my dad immediately and THEN call for a tow truck. Better safe than sorry, right? What I wouldn’t have given at that moment to just have someone I knew who could come deal with it all. Fix the car, give me ride home...
Maybe someone like these guys: http://www.kengarffhondaoforem.com/garffcare.htm
That’s right. GarffCare. BEST. IDEA. EVER.
So, when only a few short months later, my non-Honda and I parted ways and got my first Accord, Luna, I knew that if I was ever stranded again, my Ken Garff guys were only a phone call away!
I also knew that I needed to be a more emergency prepared driver. I felt totally helpless because I hadn’t really ever planned on anything bad happening to me. Foolish me! Even with GarffCare, there are a few common sense tips every driver should follow, especially as we head into summer vacation time:
Move to Safety
Never get out of the vehicle to make a repair or examine damage on a busy highway. Get the vehicle to a safe, out-of-the-way spot, and then get out of the car. If you've been in an accident, motion for the other driver to do the same.
If you have a tire blowout or a flat, good roadside safety calls for moving your vehicle to a safer place out of harm's way before attempting a repair, even if it means destroying the wheel. The cost of a new tire, rim or wheel is well worth it when it means ensuring your safety. That was totally true for me! My tire, riddled with nail holes, had stripped off the rim. But my safety was way more important than worrying about the cost of a new wheel.
Call for Help
If your car won't run or if it's so badly damaged that it can't be driven, stay in the vehicle and use a cell phone to call for help. Don't stand outside the vehicle in the flow of traffic.
If you break down in a dangerous area, call the police and stay in your car with the doors locked until help arrives.
Be Prepared
This is where I really let myself down. Carry flags, flares or reflective triangles in your vehicle so you can mark your location in the event of an emergency, even during the day. Remember to turn on your hazard lights so that other drivers have advanced warning of a problem ahead.
Be sure to always carry roadside safety kits for emergencies. Your kit should include:
- Jumper cables
- Canned instant tire inflator
- Heavy-duty rope
- Gloves and warm blanket for winter breakdowns
- First aid kit
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| Photo Credit: lightboxcollaborative.com |
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