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Car breakdown safety
If you are in an
accident or your car breaks down, safety should be your first concern.
Getting out of the car at a busy intersection or on a highway to change
a tire or check damage from a fender bender is probably one of the
worst things you can do. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.)
recommends the following precautions when your car breaks down:
- Never get out of the vehicle to
make a repair or examine the damage on a busy highway. Get the vehicle
to a safe place before getting out. If you've been involved in an
accident, motion the other driver to pull up to a safe spot ahead.
- If you can’t drive the vehicle, it
may be safer to stay in the vehicle and wait for help or use a cell
phone to summon help. Under most circumstances standing outside the
vehicle in the flow of traffic is a bad idea.
- Carry flares or triangles to use to
mark your location once you get to the side of the road. Marking your
vehicle’s location to give other drivers advance warning can be
critical. Remember to put on your hazard lights!
- In the case of a blowout or a flat
tire, move the vehicle to a safer place before attempting a repair—even
if it means destroying the wheel getting there. The cost of a tire, rim
or wheel is minor compared to endangering your safety.
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© Insurance Information Institute, Inc. - ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED -
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