We witness a lot of breakdowns on the side of the road – emotional and auto-related. While a car breakdown is rarely precedented, it’s vital drivers know how to safely react to an auto emergency. This can be an extremely stressful and frightening experience, especially if it happens at night or in an unfamiliar location. One of the most important things to do is find a safe place to park your car. This ensures your wellbeing while you wait for roadside assistance. To maximize safety and efficiency, here are the parking places you should AVOID when waiting for a towing company in Vancouver…
On the Side of the Road
Have you found yourself in a situation where your car needs to be towed? It’s important to remember to park it in a safe location. You should also remain inside the vehicle while you wait for the towing company to arrive. Parking on the side of the road can be dangerous. This is because cars may be unable to avoid confined spaces or have limited room to move around. This could lead to a potentially catastrophic accident if you have to step out of your car on the side of the highway!
The solution? Look around for good nearby corner parking spots with enough room to give your tow truck company access when they come to help you out. Of course, if the vehicle is unable to move, then there is no choice but to stay put until help arrives. In these cases, remember to steer clear from any traffic or blind spots.
On a Highway Fast Lane
If your car acts up on the highway, your first instinct might be to pull over immediately. While this reaction is natural, it is highly unsafe. Parking on the highway presents potential risk to both you and other drivers sharing the road. You’re a hazard for oncoming traffic who may not see you when moving at such high speeds. Moreso, a crowded, fast-paced highway is not only dangerous, but it is also a difficult spot for a tow truck to navigate safely. Making it much trickier for help to reach you as quickly as possible. Instead, try to exit the fast lane and pull over to the shoulder of the highway. While you must continue to abide by safety precautions, being outside of traffic is preferred over being stuck in the middle.
Out of Sight
When living in an urban area like Vancouver, towing companies can be a lifesaver if you ever find yourself stranded with car trouble. But when waiting for a tow truck to arrive, parking your car out of sight might seem tempting. However, it is actually an unsafe option and is not recommended. Being “out of sight” means your vehicle won’t attract attention to itself or to you, should there be onlookers nearby. However, towing companies are usually prepared to take any type of call and will come to wherever you’ve parked your car. Park safely (and in sight) while you wait for our trusted towing company in Vancouver to help.
Right Next to Your Car
One of the most hazardous places to wait for a tow truck is right next to your car. Doing so puts you in serious danger as you are more likely to be exposed to unpredictable traffic conditions. For one, you risk not being visible by oncoming traffic. And secondly, if a collision occurs, this could be fatal for you if you’re not a safe distance from your vehicle. Therefore, it’s better you either stay put in your car (if safe to do so) or wander several feet away while remaining in a safe and visible position to oncoming traffic.
Conclusion
Waiting for a tow truck to arrive can be a difficult and harrowing experience. But it is essential to pay attention to where you are parking. As inconvenient as being stranded may be, it’s important that you stay safe while waiting for help from a tow truck company. If you experience car troubles, Mundie’s Towing and Recovery should be your first call. We will get to you as quickly as possible with all of our tools in tow (pun intended!).