5 Things You Should Do If You Get Stranded On The Road

With Christmas just around the corner, this time of year, many families will be hitting the road for the holidays.

But, let’s face it – sometimes, even with all the joy and fun of a road trip, and the excitement of Christmas, car troubles can arise that are out of our control.

So, here at Pearson Automotive, we've put together a list of 5 things you should do if you get stranded on the road due to car troubles, to help get you back on your way as soon as possible.

1. Stay Calm & Move Away From Traffic 

• The first thing you should do if your car stops working and you get stuck on the side of the road, is stay calm, get out of the car, and move away from the traffic and to a safe area. Leaving the car is always the safest option in an emergency situation like this. If there are no street lights or buildings nearby, try to set up a flashlight or turn on your hazard lights to make yourself more visible. This will help other drivers spot you and may even attract the attention of a police officer.

2. Call for Help

• The next step is to call for help, whether that’s friends, family, or roadside assistance providers. Depending on the situation, calling roadside assistance providers will probably be the quickest and safest option - and the most helpful in providing you with advice on how to move forward. It is also good to check and see if your car insurance covers roadside emergencies. If it does, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your car issues are covered; if not, you may need to pay outright. It is also important to stay in your safe position, whilst you call and wait for help.

3. Keep an Emergency Kit on Hand

• It’s always good practice to keep an emergency kit in your car filled with essentials like a first aid kit, some food, water, jumper cables, a flashlight, extra batteries and flares - just in case you ever need them. This will help make life a lot easier if your car does break down and you get stranded on the road, and it can even help attract attention to your car if you need to leave it on the side of the road.

4. Know Your Car's Basics

• Besides having an emergency kit, it’s important to know your car’s basics - from understanding how to check the oil, jumpstart your battery, or change a flat tire. This can be extremely helpful in emergency situations, and not just if you get stranded on the road but in everyday car maintenance as well.

5. Visit an Experienced Mechanic

• The last and most important step is to visit a professional and experienced mechanic for any car repairs you may need as a result of the breakdown - such as Pearson Automotive. This will help ensure that your car is in the best condition possible and ready to get back on the road - so you don’t find yourself stranded on the side of the road again.

We hope that you don’t find yourself stranded this Christmas, but if you do, know that Pearson Automotive is here for all your car repair needs. If you're looking for car maintenance services in Brisbane, chat to our Milton mechanics today

We offer a complete range of car servicing options, designed to suit all vehicle types. Keeping your car safely on the road with the minimum downtime is our main objective.