Safety tips for exiting your vehicle on busy highway

By Chellie Cervone - Posted: Oct 20, 2013 at 7:44 pm

Be safe when exiting your vehicle

If you have been involved in an automobile accident, or had a tire blowout or other mechanical problem on a busy highway, then you know how downright frightening it is to exit your vehicle while other vehicles are whizzing by only inches from your head.

When faced with such an unexpected situation, motorists do not always what to do. It can be hard to even think clearly with all the busy noise on the highway.

One small misstep can cost you your life.

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Important safety tips for exiting your vehicle on busy highway

Put your vehicle flashers on.
If possible, engage the hood release.
Exit your vehicle quickly, with keys in hand, via the passenger door away from traffic.
If it is safe to do so, unlatch the hood and tie a piece of ribbon or brightly colored cloth to the hood or antennae.
Stay away from the vehicle and as far away from traffic as possible.
Use your cell phone to immediately contact police and give them your location.
Your second call should be to a trusted family or friend.

After you have exited your vehicle safely, you could become an easy target for a criminal which is why it is important to quickly contact police and a trusted friend with your whereabouts.

If you are stranded at night, be aware that it can be extremely dangerous to leave your vehicle and stand on the side of the road, yet if you remain in your vehicle you can be viewed as a sitting duck by any criminals driving by, especially if you are stranded on an isolated stretch of highway.

Should you decide to remain inside the vehicle, keep your windows slightly cracked and all car doors locked until police arrive.

If someone stops to offer assistance, do not get out of the vehicle.

Let them know that the police are on the way.