Regardless of how long you have been driving, becoming stranded on the side of the road is one of many people’s biggest fears. You never know what is going to happen or who will stop to “help” you.

There are some key things that you should know when you start driving. You will want to know how to change a tire, check the oil, and of course, what to do if you ever get stranded.

Get Off The Road

The very first thing that you should do when you break down is to move your vehicle to the side of the road. Nine times out of ten, regardless of what has happened to your vehicle, you will be able to get it to the side of the road.

You should do this as a courtesy to other drives, but more importantly for everyone’s safety. If there is a car in the middle of the road, especially at night, another driver might not see it until it is too late. This could lead to a serious accident.

Call For Assistance

After you have gotten your car as far off the road as you can safely get it, then you need to call someone for assistance. If you are hurt, then you should 911 first. However, if you have run out of gas or your car just mysteriously shut off, then you should call for roadside assistance.

There are plenty of companies that off it and it is a small price to pay to have that peace of mind. If you don’t have roadside assistance, then call a friend or a family member. If all you need is gas, then they can bring some. However, if something else happened, you will also need to call a tow truck.

Stay With Your Vehicle

Unless you are right down the road from your house, you should stay in your car. Some people think it is a good idea to walk down the road to seek. There are numerous things that can go wrong if you leave your vehicle. You could get hit by another vehicle or someone could take you against your will. If you stay in your car, then everyone will know exactly where you are.

Use Common Sense

If you are stranded on the side of the road, do not freak out and get hysterical. You should remain claim, get out of harm’s way, and wait for help. However, you should not accept help from anyone you don’t know. You never know what someone’s true intentions are, so it is better to be overly cautious than kidnapped or murdered.