If your car breaks down on the side of the road, and you have to spend hours waiting for it to get towed or a tow truck if you’re in an area with no working phone lines, here are some safety tips that can help prevent or remedy potential problems. These steps will also help keep you safe during a breakdown.

1. Get Your Car Off The Road

If your car breaks down in the middle of a highway, you’ll want to get it off the road as soon as possible. The longer you stay in the middle of an intersection waiting for the next passing car that isn’t stopped, the greater your chance of getting hit by a motorist coming from behind. If you’re alone on that road with no construction crews or other vehicles, then parking off to one side of the road is generally the safest option.

2. Call For Help

If you live in an area where you can use a phone to get help, this is smart as it allows for quick response times and professional recovery service. In rural areas, cell phone coverage may be spotty, so it’s a good idea to have a phone dedicated to calling for help after your car breaks down.

3. Advise Others That You’re In Trouble

Driving a car for any time can lead to mental fatigue, so it’s important to let other people know that you’re stuck somewhere and need help. It’s better to let your friends, family, or neighbors know you’re in trouble than to hide and suffer in silence.

4. Stay With Your Vehicle.

When your car breaks down, you may want the best chance of getting back on the road as soon as possible. Staying with your vehicle can help ensure you can spend less time convincing a tow truck driver to let you drive your broken-out car.

5. It’s Probably Not The Best Time To Take A Stab At Auto Repair.

You don’t have the tools for auto repair or the experience to handle a breakdown. If something breaks in your car, it’s best to wait until an expert can handle it. You want your repair job to avoid causing even more problems down the road due to inexperience or lack of tools.

6. Use Common Sense

It may sound like common sense, but it’s important to know that your car will break down. If you must drive it in an area with poor roads and bad weather conditions, you’ll want to ensure it takes the same effort and time as a normal day of driving. With this in mind, your car may need more frequent oil changes or upgraded tires than usual simply because the strain on your vehicle will make any damage or wear more noticeable than on a normal day of driving.

7. Be Careful Of Strangers.

It’s important to keep your eyes and ears open, especially when you’re out in a broken car. If a stranger wants to come close enough to talk or offer assistance, then take them up on whatever they offer. But if you don’t feel comfortable with that person, don’t!