Breaking down in the middle of a journey can be very scary indeed, especially if it happens on a busy highway when there is a lot of fast-moving traffic passing you buy. Unfortunately, as it can be very difficult to predict when a breakdown will occur, they often surprise us as the worst possible moments and can be very inconvenient indeed. So, it’s always important that as a driver, you are always prepared for the worst-case scenario and know exactly what you need to do if you ever do break down. Here is what you should always do.Move The Car Away From Oncoming TrafficFirst of all, and probably most importantly, you need to make sure that your car is well away from any oncoming traffic. Otherwise, another driver could end up driving into it, which could make the situation even worse. The best thing you can do is to start to move over to the side of the road as soon as you start to notice that something is wrong with your car. That way, you won’t end up broken down right in the center of a lane of traffic – that could prove to be very unsafe for you and other road users indeed!Call For HelpOnce you have moved your car well away from other traffic on the road, you should start calling for some help. Hopefully, you will have your mobile phone on you but, if not, you need to walk to an emergency phone box that will be on the side of the highway. If you aren’t on a highway, you’ll need to walk to the nearest shop or house and ask them if they will let you use your phone. You will probably need to call for a tow truck or someone that can come out and fix your car. Most breakdown services will only come out to help you if you are already a paying member of theirs, so it’s a good idea to join a company now if you haven’t done so already.Stay SafeWhile you are waiting for someone to come and rescue you, it’s important that you and all your passengers are safe. So, for starters, be sure to get out of the car and wait somewhere away from it. This will protect you in the event of the car setting on fire or exploding. Before you do leave the car, make sure the wheels are turned in towards the verge as this can prevent the vehicle from rolling away.Be VisibleLeave the car’s emergency lights on so those other drivers can clearly see it and know to stay away from it. That’s especially important if you break down at night. If you have any high-vis clothing in your car, you should put them on so that other road users can easily spot you as well. Remember to stay warm and dry whenever possible.Fingers crossed that you won’t ever break down, but at least you’ve now got this useful guide if you ever do!
