The first scenario did happen to me recently, for the first time in my life and as responsible and grown as I may feel, I was definitely underprepared for the turmoil of a car breakdown! So I thought I would write a post of what I think are some important tips and essential items to keep in your car so that if you ever find yourself alone and stranded at the roadside, you’ll be able to stay safe.
Copy of your cars insurance and registration details, its service log book and manual, and Roadside Assistance Member Information (defiantly a wise investment if you don't have any).
Right now in Sydney there is really only one company that provides adequate cover for Roadside Assistance. NRMA roadside assistance is the number one company for helping NSW and ACT motorists get back on the road. Their extensive fleet of patrol vans are on duty 24 hours every day so that when you run into trouble, they'll be there. So whether you have locked your keys in your car, got a flat tyre, have a flat battery, run out of fuel or just simply broken down, they have all the help you need.
Some coverage options even enable towing up to 100 km, overnight accommodation and a rental car until your back on the road.
Its also a good idea when making that panicked call to have ready to give the operator:
Vehicle registration
Member or road service card
Make and model of your vehicle
Location of your vehicle, with suburb, street and cross street
Need NRMA Roadside assistance now?
Call 13 11 11
Mobile phone charger.
The last thing you want is a dead battery when you need to call for help. Call your parents, boyfriend, best friend, NRMA Roadside Assistance or 000. Your mobile phone can also help emergency teams find you should you veer off course.
Jumper cables, a spare tire, jack and tools to change your tire.
If you don’t know how to jump your car battery or change a tire, you need to learn ASAP. Ask your dad to show you how, on your own car, so you know exactly where everything is supposed to go. If you blow a tire and know how to change it yourself, you can get back on the road in a few minutes. If your battery goes, you can’t always rely on the friendly stranger who stops to help you having cables, so it’s best to have your own.
Water, a blanket and food.
You never know what could happen. What if you crash on the side of the road and have to wait hours for someone to come get you? No matter how unbelievable it may seem, it could even take longer than that. Keep granola bars or something similar in your car, along with plenty of water and something warm – you never know when the heater will decide to break, and that could mean bad, BAD news when you’re stranded.
A flashlight.
A flashlight will help you flag down emergency personnel on the road. Especially in the winter months when it’s dark at 5 PM, these will come in handy. Make sure you have spare batteries too. Being stranded is scary enough, but stranded in the dark? Don’t make it any worse than it has to be!
Now that you know some useful items to keep in your car in case of emergencies. Here are some tips to ensure you stay safe if you break down or are in an accident:
If your car breaks down in traffic:
- Get your car as far from the traffic as possible or into a breakdown lane/curb lane if on a highway/freeway
- Don't push the car if you're alone - it may become uncontrollable. Put on your hazard and parking lights to increase your car's visibility.
- Get out of the car - wait away from it well off the road and behind guard rails (if provided).
- If in heavy traffic or a dark area, be careful moving around outside the car
- Wait under some shade if it's hot
- Make yourself visible in the dark or wait in a well-lit area
- Use your mobile phone/freeway emergency phone to call NRMA Roadside Assistance
If your car breaks down in an isolated area at night:
- Put hazard and parking lights on to increase your car's visibility. Lock all doors.
- Keep your mobile phone handy and switched on. Stay in your car until you're sure the NRMA Patrol has arrived.
- If approached by an unknown person, stay in your vehicle with the doors locked. Wind your window down slightly, but not far enough for them to reach in.
- If you're concerned or frightened by their presence, activate your horn while switching your headlights on and off. Call the police on 000.
Breakdowns can be overwhelming, especially being a twenty-something girl who has a greater love for fashion then a knowledge of whats under the bonnet of her car, the same with car accidents they can be scary and, unfortunately, way more likely to happen during the winter months when you unexpectedly encounter black ice and slippery roadways. My advice is stay prepared to keep yourself safe by storing these emergency items in your car and taking these precautions (as a guide only of-course), just in case.
