As a stranded motorist, you can become tense and anxious in a hurry. And while you might not be able to control the circumstances that have led to being stranded on a remote stretch of highway, there are steps you can follow in order to help make your time waiting for a tow truck service in Tyler TX safe and bearable. While it may not seem like much when you’re actually sitting in your car, being stranded on the side of the road can be really stressful, especially if you are in an unsafe location on the highway. We have made this guide to try and ease your stresses when you are found in this situation.
Make Sure You’re Equipped With the Necessary Supplies
This is a step that should be done prior to being stranded. We recommend packing a bag to keep in your car. This bag can contain things such as snacks, water, a portable battery charger for your phone, a sweatshirt or sweatpants, road flares, and anything else you can think of. You can place these things in the back of your car along with your tire jack and spare tire in case that you find yourself stranded on the side of the road.
Don’t Get out of Your Car Unless Absolutely Necessary
If at all possible, it’s better to stay in your car and not leave the area unless absolutely necessary. This is because the best way to prevent harm from happening is to keep yourself safe inside the vehicle. The next step is to determine if you are in a safe enough location to exit your vehicle. If you are stranded on a narrow highway with no shoulder, such as a bridge or other dangerous place, do not exit your vehicle, and call for a wrecker service in Tyler TX immediately. It might be best to contact emergency services in this case, as you are in a very dangerous situation.
If you are stranded on the side of a highway with ample shoulder space and little traffic, it’s up to you to decide if you would like to exit your vehicle and see what’s going on with your car – just be sure to practice an abundance of caution and take steps to make yourself highly visible. If you’re able to inspect your car and determine that it needs to be towed, the next step is to get in touch with Tyler TX roadside assistance and return to your car to stay safe while you wait.
Do I call a Tow Driver or Emergency Services?
When stranded on the side of the highway, many drivers first thoughts are “Who do I call?”. That is the most important question you can ask in this situation. The best answer to that question is dependent on your specific situation.
If you are blocking traffic, on a roadway that has no shoulder, are stranded in severe weather conditions, or any other extremely unsafe situation, it is best to first call Emergency services. Many cities contract tow drivers and will contact the driver for you and get them out to you as quickly as possible.
If you are stranded on the side of a highway that has extremely ample shoulder space, not much traffic, and your car is in a place that it does not need to be moved out of as quickly as possible, then it is best to contact a tow driver directly. They will not charge you as much money as emergency services will and they will get to you quickly in most cases. Just call your local tow driver, and let them know where you are.
How Do I Know Where I am on the Highway?
One of the common questions we get is how do tell my driver where I am? First look around for visual signs, mile markers, or exit numbers. This is the first way to help your driver locate you. If you are not near any of these things, try to remember the last exit sign you passed. If you cannot remember and your thinking to yourself – I don’t see and exit or a mile marker nearby. In this case, it is best to pull out your phone and give the driver your GPS coordinates. This will help them locate you faster and get you off the highway more quickly.
