8 Basic Safety Tips

Whether your car, truck, motorcycle, or off-road vehicle breaks down, it is usually a very stressful experience. We are here in the Prescott area to take care of you. If you are in such a situation. You can minimize that stress with these important things to do when you are stranded on the road or trail.

First Things First: Water and a Cell Phone

Whether driving just to the supermarket, or on a vacation trip, at minimum there are two items you should always have with you:

Water
A Cell Phone

The two provisions above are a must for safety, whether you are on the road or trail. You need to be able to hydrate and communicate.

If You Become Stranded: Stay Calm

No matter what the issue is with your car, the first thing you need to do is collect your thoughts. Stay calm. You will get through this!

Pull Over to the Side of the Road if Your Vehicle Breaks Down

If you are on the road when your car breaks down, aim for the shoulder of the road on the right side. Try to avoid the left-hand side if possible.

Turn On Your Hazard Lights

As you are slowing down, turn your hazard lights on so the other drivers on the road know there is an issue. Before you get into a situation like this, it is a good idea to become very familiar with where the hazard light switch is. Think through how you will use it in an emergency.

Stay In the Vehicle

When you reach the side of the road place your car in park and employ the emergency brake. Turn your steering wheel away from the road and traffic. Do not exit the car if you are stranded on a busy highway or in traffic.

Passenger Side Exit

If there is a lot of traffic on the driver’s side, exiting through the passenger side is an option. If you do, find a safe place to wait. It can be very dangerous to stand next to your vehicle on the side of a busy highway.

Be careful of Strangers

Your mom and dad probably warned you about this a thousand times, but be ever so cautious of people you don’t know in today’s world. While most people are eager to help people in trouble there are some bad apples. If your vehicle breaks down and a stranger pulls over and offers assistance, it is probably best to remain in your vehicle with your doors locked. You can roll down the window a crack and tell them help is on the way. Call the police if necessary.

Call Us for a Tow

No matter what precautions you take, if your vehicle breaks down while driving, just call the pros at Hoist Towing & Recovery. Our flatbeds can load and tow any kind of vehicle safely to the destination of your choice. Our rescue and recovery team is available to come to the aid if your vehicle breaks down and leaves you stranded. Whether on trails or highways near Chino Valley, Prescott, Dewey, Crown King, Williams, Flagstaff, and many other areas throughout Arizona. Hoist Towing & Recovery will be there to assist you. Just call us at 928-660-0606. Hoist Towing also recommends that you keep additional items in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Click Here for more information.