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Panic can occur when driving along a deserted road at night or being stuck with a flat tyre in a known high-crime area. Having an unexpected car breakdown can be stressful, no matter the circumstances. Read on to learn more about what to do if your car breaks down in an unsafe area.

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

It’s most likely that your first reaction might be to panic, but this is not helpful. It’s important to stay calm so you can assess the situation and ensure you remain composed. Most importantly, you can have more situational awareness to decide what to do next.

These are some tips to follow:

• Assess if there’s immediate danger, such as oncoming traffic, suspicious individuals or potentially harmful weather.
• Determine if your car is still functional and if you can move it to a safer area.
• Check if your phone has enough battery to call or access the FREE-to-use iER App.
• See if you can find help nearby.

2. Get to a Safe Location (If Possible)

If your car is still moving but slowing down, use your remaining momentum to guide it as close to a safe spot as possible. Avoid stopping in an isolated or poorly lit area, as this increases your vulnerability. Try to exit safely on a freeway or move onto the yellow lane.

If the car doesn’t move at all, consider the following:

• Turn on your hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers and discourage criminals.
• Keep your seatbelt on in case of an accident with oncoming traffic.
• Assess the risk of exiting your car, and if it’s safer inside, don’t get out. If you must leave, do so cautiously, staying aware of your surroundings.
• If you’re on a busy road, stand on the passenger side of the car, away from traffic, to avoid being hit by passing vehicles.

3. Lock Your Doors and Stay Inside

Your car is often the safest place in a high-risk area. Lock your doors, roll up the windows, and stay inside until help arrives. Strangers approaching your car might seem helpful, but they could also be opportunists looking to take advantage of the situation. If someone knocks on your window, do not open the door. Instead, communicate through a small gap in the window if necessary.

4. Call for Help Immediately

Use your smartphone to access the FREE-to-use iER App to connect with roadside assistance or the police if you feel unsafe. Ensure you provide enough information, such as your exact location, describing the issue with the car, and mentioning if you feel unsafe or threatened. Additionally, you should ensure you share your location with your emergency contacts if your battery runs low while waiting for help.

5. Make Your Car Visible Without Drawing Unwanted Attention

If your car obstructs oncoming traffic, it’s important to turn on your hazard lights to make other drivers aware of your presence and avoid a potentially life-threatening collision. If you have a reflective warning triangle, place it behind your car at a safe distance to alert approaching vehicles, but only if it is safe to exit the car. However, you should consider keeping your interior light usage minimal since it can attract unwanted attention.

6. Avoid Accepting Help from Strangers

It’s natural for good-natured people to offer help, but in some cases, this might be a ploy for hijackers and thieves. If someone stops, lower your window slightly and let them know help is already coming. Never exit your vehicle to speak to someone unless it’s emergency responders you called, and they arrive in a clearly marked vehicle.

7. Know Your Emergency Apps and Contacts

Before an emergency happens, ensure you are prepared. Keep your emergency contacts on speed dial to have easy access to trusted family or friends you can call for assistance. Most importantly, download the FREE-to-use iER App from the Google Play Store, the Apple App Store, or the Huawei App Gallery.

A car breakdown in an unfamiliar area is every driver’s nightmare. However, knowing what to do can mean the difference between a momentary inconvenience and a life-threatening encounter. By staying calm, securing your vehicle, calling for help, and avoiding unnecessary risks, you’ll significantly increase your chances of staying safe while knowing that the FREE-to-use iER App is your reliable emergency response app to connect you with over 18,000 service providers nationwide.