Issue link: https://adspolicy.uberflip.com/i/1436445
BREAKDOWNS First things first: if you experience any vehicle problems while driving, pull off to a safe location away from the flow of traffic. Follow these steps from the start and, when you are safe, call your road service provider. Pull over (if the vehicle is still moving). Take your foot off the accelerator and do not brake hard or suddenly. In an ideal situation, you will aim for the right shoulder of the road. If you find yourself on a roadway with no safe place to pull off, put on your turn signal and try to get out of the right lane as quickly as possible. Use the left-hand shoulder only as a last resort. If you are driving on residential streets, pull into an open parking spot or parking lot if one is nearby. Important! If you get a flat tire, do not attempt to change the tire unless you can safely pull completely off the road and the wheel is on the opposite side of the traffic. Safety must always take precedence over your schedule or other concerns. See items in the What Do I Need To Bring? section of the Vehicle Companion Guide. Turn the wheel and apply the emergency brake. To help prevent your vehicle from rolling, turn your wheel to the left (away from curb) if your vehicle is facing uphill. If your vehicle is facing downhill or there is no curb, turn your wheel to the right. Apply your emergency brake in all cases. Triple-check before exiting the vehicle. Make sure you can safely exit your vehicle, especially on a busy highway. If you feel you would be safer in the vehicle, go with your instincts and stay inside with your seat belt on. If you made it to the right-hand side of the road, get out through the passenger-side door. If your engine is smoking or you see flames, get out of your vehicle as quickly as you can. Make your vehicle visible. If it is safe to do so, place emergency flares or reflective triangles approximately 200 to 300 feet (or 50 to 100 steps) behind your vehicle to give other drivers some time to change lanes if necessary. Put on your emergency flashers/hazard lights. This warns drivers that something is wrong. Keep your hazard lights on until your vehicle is safely towed. If it is dark, turn on the interior dome light. When you are safe, call your road service provider. Call and wait for help. If you have a roadside assistance provider or subscribe to an emergency response service, give them a call. If you do not, call for a tow truck or call 9-1-1 if you need further assistance. If you are driving alone at night, be careful about accepting help from strangers and stay inside your vehicle if you can. Keep your doors locked and your windows up. AARP DRIVER SAFETY 88 ARE WE SMART ON THE ROAD? 4 1 2 3 4 5 6