If your car or truck becomes disabled on the road, it’s important to take a few key steps to ensure the safety of your passengers and vehicle. If you have roadside assistance, the technicians will quickly and efficiently restore your vehicle to get you back on the road. From changing your tire to bringing you fuel, this service is incredibly useful to have. While you wait for a roadside assistance crew to arrive, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind. 

Do: 

Make your vehicle visible.

Emergency flashers are the most basic tool for making your car clearly visible to other drivers, so know ahead of time where the on button is. It’s also wise to carry reflective vests, markers, pylons, or road flares in your trunk at all times. Place a marker 10 feet behind your tailgate so drivers can see you. 

Call for help from a safe place.

After you’ve made your car as visible as possible, stay inside to call and wait for help. No matter what time of day or night you’re stranded, lock your doors and don’t accept help from people you don’t trust or feel comfortable with. If an officer arrives on the scene before the roadside assistance crew, ask them to stay until they arrive for an added layer of safety.  

Don’t:

Drain your phone.

It’s tempting to stay on the phone with friends or loved ones until help arrives. To maximize your cellphone’s battery life, don’t keep making calls or going online after a breakdown. The roadside assistance crew will try to find you quickly, but in case the weather delays their arrival, try to limit your cellphone usage. You may also need to make other important calls to repair shops and alternate transportation, so only use your phone for emergencies. 

Forget to gather belongings and documentation.

When assistance arrives, you’ll need to show them your driver’s license and possibly registration or insurance information. While you wait, gather documents, along with any important belongings you don’t want to leave behind in the car. Keep everything together in a single bag for safekeeping.

If your vehicle breaks down, nothing feels better than the arrival of trusted help. Whether you need a jump-start or towing to a repair shop, the team at The Hole Works will help. They’ve provided dependable roadside assistance to residents throughout Cattaraugus County, NY, for more than 20 years. They also offer full-service construction equipment rentals, hole drilling, and utility pole installation. Call (716) 676-3998 or visit their website to browse their roadside assistance services.