| Cars never seem to break down on a convenient | | | | or don't realize that the car ahead is stopped or |
| schedule. That flat tire late at night or that | | | | because they look at the disabled vehicle instead |
| overheated engine on a deserted country road | | | | of watching the road ahead. Activate your |
| can be more than annoying; it can be dangerous. | | | | emergency flashers, then, if you have flares or a |
| Vehicle emergencies aren't limited to mechanical | | | | reflective emergency triangle, place them 100 to |
| problems. Sudden, violent storms can create | | | | 200 feet behind the vehicle to give other drivers |
| havoc. The big winter storm in March 1993 found | | | | warning of a problem up ahead. Raise the hood to |
| thousands of motorists stranded in the snow as | | | | indicate a need for help and tie a white cloth or |
| highways in Georgia, and the Carolinas shut down. | | | | "help" sign to the antennae. |
| Since we can't schedule our emergencies at a | | | | Since so many crashes involve cars on the side |
| more convenient time, every driver should be | | | | of the road, it is best to leave the vehicle and |
| prepared by knowing how to deal with | | | | stand as far off the roadway as possible while |
| emergencies and should keep an emergency kit in | | | | waiting for help. Trying to repair a vehicle or |
| their car at all times. | | | | change a tire right next to the roadway can be |
| The best defense against a breakdown on the | | | | extremely dangerous. |
| side of the road is to ensure your vehicle is well | | | | Vehicle Emergency Kits |
| maintained and that oil and fluids are changed or | | | | As indicated above, the best and most important |
| topped off. Worn tires should be replaced. Check | | | | item in your emergency kit should be a cell phone |
| your tires by inserting a penny into the tread; if | | | | with a fully charged battery. Make sure you keep |
| the top of Abe Lincoln's head can be seen your | | | | a charger cord in your car and that your battery |
| tread is too worn. Check your tire's pressure; | | | | is full. |
| correct tire pressure is printed on the tire’s | | | | Your emergency kit's contents will depend on |
| side or in the owner's manual. Make sure that | | | | where you live and drive. At a minimum, a basic |
| your spare tire is full and you have an operating | | | | emergency kit should contain: |
| jack and lug wrench. Keep the gas tank full and | | | | - Jumper cables (the longer and heavier duty, the |
| don't try to push it to the next exit when your | | | | better) |
| gas is running low. | | | | - Two 30 minute flares |
| The first thing to remember when your vehicle is | | | | - A reflective triangle |
| stuck or disabled is your personal safety. If | | | | - A “Help” sign or white cloth to tie to the |
| possible, the vehicle should be removed as far off | | | | antennae |
| the side of the road as possible. A large number | | | | - A flashlight with extra batteries. |
| of crashes happen when drivers either don't see | | | | |