What to do if your car breaks down

Experiencing a car breakdown can be overwhelming, especially if you are in an area that you don’t know or stuck in the middle of a busy highway. Being prepared and knowing the right steps to take can help you manage the situation safely and efficiently. Here’s what you need to do: 

Calmly access the situation: If your car starts acting up, remain calm and try to identify the cause by listening for strange noises and checking the dashboard for any warning lights. If possible, take action before your car completely stops. 

Alert others: Turn on your car’s hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers that you are experiencing a problem. 

Move to a safe location: If possible, avoid stopping in the middle of the road. Try to get your car away from moving traffic by steering it toward the side of the road and stopping as far away from the driving lanes as possible. 

Stay visible: If it is safe to do so, set up the reflective warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your car. 

Call for assistance: If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, contact roadside assistance, a towing service or a friend who can help. Some car tracking services include an in-app assistance button that you can press in a roadside emergency. 

Stay inside: It is usually safer to stay inside your car. If you are on a busy highway or in heavy traffic, exiting your car can be dangerous, so stay in your seat with your seatbelt fastened. Stopping on the side of the road opens up other vulnerabilities. If you are waiting for help, stay inside and keep the doors locked and the windows closed. 

Be cautious: Avoid accepting help from a passerby unless absolutely necessary. If you’re in a dangerous situation or your vehicle is blocking traffic, call emergency services. Consider subscribing to Tracker CareGuard, a rapid mobile emergency response service that enables you to request immediate medical or armed response assistance wherever you are, by simply dropping a location pin in WhatsApp.