Accident or breakdown on the highway? We advise what (not) to do – Garáž.cz

We just shake our heads at what some drivers, as well as crews, are capable of. Just a few days ago, we saw a young family standing next to an immobile car in a parking lane on the highway near Prague, and with a small child in their arms. We have also experienced cases where, after the car stopped moving, the crew remained in it, with only the hazard lights on. She then claimed that the car could be seen. No, it’s not visible! And you have nothing to stand around the car on the highway at all. It’s about your lives. These two experiences also forced us to write down some advice for you, what to actually do after your car breaks down on the highway or after you have an accident here.

We know that whether it’s an accident or just a flat tire, it’s nerve-wracking. But only if you keep your cool will you do your best. Make sure you or the crew are safe, one less thing to worry about. If so, call the emergency services immediately and follow their instructions.

If at all possible, try to drive slowly in the parking lane to the nearest exit or parking space. Always have your hazard lights on. If this is not possible, park the car as far as possible in the parking lane, leave it on and turn on the hazard lights.

Before you or your crew get out of the car, make sure everyone is wearing a safety vest. Yes, here we have an obligation to carry a vest only for the driver, but invest the few crowns and have at least four in the car. Place them in the interior, not in the trunk! If possible, always get out of the car through the right door towards the guardrails and immediately get behind them. Especially small children must not move around the car at all.

This is a bit of a nut. It is ideal if you have it, for example, on the ground behind the seats. However, if it is in the trunk, go get it as quickly as possible and take it behind the barriers to a place at least 100 meters away from the disabled car. Don’t drive in the parking lane, it’s unnecessarily dangerous. But even behind the guardrails, be careful, especially at night, you can overlook that there is a steep drop just a short distance behind them.

Call the police before contacting the help desk. In case of injury and an ambulance. You can also call 112, where they will ensure the possible arrival of all components of the integrated rescue system. The police will help you on the spot both with solving the accident or malfunction and with marking its location. In some cases, a tow truck with an information light sign is also sent to the scene, which will divert traffic from you to the far lane. Only then do you deal with the assistance service and your transportation from the place. The same safety instructions apply to it. It is ideal to arrange with the assistance to pick you up at the nearest safe place where you can walk behind the barriers.

And a little advice at the end. Even if you think you can fix a problem like a flat tire yourself, don’t. It is a big risk that is not worth the few crowns saved. You have agreed on an assistance service with a mandatory guarantee, so use it.