Its happened! Your car has unexpectedly broken down and your left standing on the side of the road waiting for your tow truck to turn up. How do you pass the time? What should you do to be prepared for when the tow truck arrives? Most people don’t know what needs to happen when you are waiting for a tow truck. Here are 5 things that you need to know and should do while waiting for your tow truck company to show up.

Park off the road

While this may seem like common sense, it is surprising the amount people who just get out of their car and leave it stopped in the middle of the road causing disruption to the flow of traffic. Of course, if you are involved in an accident and it is not safe to move the vehicle, then by all means, leave it in the middle of the road but, the general rule is; if it can be moved, move it. Pull over as far off the road as you can, preferably in a breakdown lane or off the road completely. This ensures that your car doesn’t disrupt the normal flow of traffic and ensures that when your tow truck does show up, that they are not stopping traffic to move your car either.

Turn on your hazard lights

Hazard lights are designed to alert other drivers on the road of your vehicle’s presence. By turning on your hazard lights, this ensures that other drivers on the road can see you and see your vehicle as a hazard on the side of the road. It also tells other vehicles on the road that there is a problem with your vehicle and to be more cautious when driving past.

Remove your valuables from the vehicle

Once your car is safely pulled over and you have contacted your towing company and organised for them to come and collect your vehicle, it is best to remove all your personal items from the vehicle. This includes your handbag, phone, keys, wallet, any shopping or other items that you don’t want left in the vehicle. Generally speaking, towing companies are not responsible for damage or loss of personal items so it’s just best to remove them before your tow truck arrives.

Stay calm

Having your car breakdown on the side of the road can be stressful and make you feel upset, nervous or angry. The biggest thing you can do while waiting for your tow truck to arrive is stay calm. Breathe and just relax. There is nothing you can do to speed up time or fix the problem, so it’s best to just not worry. Try listening to some music or playing a game on your phone. Just be mindful that you may need your phone to give directions to the towing company or to call a ride later, so be careful to not chew up too much of the battery.

Don’t accept rides from strangers

It is just like you tell your children, “don’t accept a ride from a stranger.” The same principle applies. If someone you don’t know offers you a ride while you are standing on the side of the road, be very cautious about accepting the offer for your own safety. If you have been involved in an accident, it is normal for strangers to pull over and offer help. If you witness an accident, please DO pull over and make sure everyone is uninjured. But if your car is just broken down on the side of the road, be very careful about accepting a ride. It is best to politely decline and tell them that you have organised a ride (even if you haven’t).

While these are the serious things that you need to do while waiting for your tow truck to arrive, there are also many enjoyable things that you can do to pass the time such as reading, writing, singing, dancing, playing a game or listening to music. Just be mindful of your surroundings and always stay safe while waiting on the side of the road. Towing companies do their best to get to you as soon as possible, but sometimes it can be a few hours before their arrival. Inevitably, waiting is part of life, but hopefully you can now find things to do to pass the time next time you are stranded on the side of the road.

If you find yourself in a bit of a pickle and stranded and need a ride, contact Newcastle Towing and Transport. Their experienced staff offer excellent service that is second to none. With 24/7 towing services, they will be there when you need them most. Contact Newcastle Towing and Transport today.