It is no secret that trucks break down unexpectedly, and when that happens, you’ll want a reliable towing company to take your vehicle to a quality repair shop as fast as possible. Unfortunately, towing services can take anywhere from 30 minutes to many hours to arrive, leaving you stranded on the side of the road. If you’re unsure of what to do while waiting for a tow, we’ve come up with a few essential safety tips to keep in mind while handling this unpredictably and often stressful scenario. Scroll down to read more!

Pull Your Car Over to An Easily Visible Spot

Depending on what is wrong with your vehicle, generally, you still have enough time to pull over on the side of your road. Whether you have a flat tire or you feel like you are losing control of your vehicle in some way, slowly braking and pulling over to an easily visible spot is the first step all drivers should take when needing roadside assistance. Pulling over allows you to keep you and your vehicle safe from ongoing traffic and gives your tow truck a good idea as to where you’ll be parked. Make sure this visible spot is not going downhill and avoid any corners that could keep your car hidden. We also recommend staying inside of your car to avoid the dangers of traffic and possible pedestrians.

Gather All Valuables

After pulling over safely, take a deep breath and begin to collect all of your valuables. Once the tow truck comes and hooks your car up, there will be no more opportunities to grab any of your personal belongings until it is finished being repaired by a professional mechanic. Leaving your valuables unattended could subject them to damage, and tow truck companies are not responsible for the wellbeing of your belongings. We recommend taking any important documentation, paperwork, car seats, groceries, or any other personal items you cannot be without for a short period.

Only Accept Help from The Towing Company You Called

If you are parked on the main road, oftentimes tow trucks from other companies will stop and offer to tow your truck for you. While this may seem like a nice gesture, and sometimes it is, you could be susceptible to scam and charged expensive fees that you were unaware of after the service is complete. They may even hold your vehicle until you agree to pay these fees, that’s why it is always a good idea to wait for your chosen towing company to ensure proper service. Don’t let yourself fall victim to tow truck scams, call (217) 877-4794 at Bob & Ron’s Repair Service Inc. for honest towing services in the Decatur, IL area.

Do Not Accept Free Rides from Strangers

This may seem like an obvious safety tip, especially for an experienced truck driver, but never accept a free ride from a stranger. In situations where tension is high, it may seem like a good idea to accept a ride from a stranger if your tow truck is not able to get your vehicle right away. However, sometimes individuals find themselves in bad situations where they may be taken advantage of. The safest option is to stay in your vehicle until a tow arrives or call a friend or family member to pick you up.