Ordinarily, cars and motor vehicles may be considered a luxury but in actual terms, they are essential for the smooth running of life and business. Motor vehicles help one commute from place to place which would have been cumbersome to reach by foot.
The use of motor vehicles however has its bad and undesirable sides. These include the possibility of vehicle breakdown and crashes, in extreme cases.
Without adequate preparation, these breakdowns can result to being stranded, and also being vulnerable or exposed to danger.
Using a car or motor vehicle demands utmost responsibility on the driver’s part. There is the responsibility of keeping the vehicle in a good state of repair and also that of preventing harm or damage to other road users.
Some Helpful Tips
The following tips will prove helpful for taking care of a breakdown.
- Having A Breakdown Cover Or Policy
Having a breakdown cover or policy contained in the comprehensive vehicle insurance policy is always a step in the right direction. When this is available, the insurance company has the responsibility to respond immediately upon receipt of any distress call of a breakdown. This will save the vehicle user from embarrassment and from unnecessary exposure to danger.
- Calling Car Helpline Services
These are services provided by companies which specialise in urgent response to calls of breakdowns for an agreed sum of money. They usually respond as soon as possible to any distress calls. They have towing vans, flatbed trailers, and other equipment which can be used to rescue a broken down vehicle. Car helpline services in Delhi for example, could even involve having some skilled automobile engineers who can remedy minor faults on the spot.
- A State Of Preparedness
The highway codes of various cities and municipalities expressly state that vehicle users should ensure that they are fully prepared for any unforeseen circumstance or eventuality arising from the use of their cars or other motor vehicles. Being prepared will mean that the user ensures that the vehicle is well maintained and road worthy before bringing such a vehicle to the road. It could also mean having a map which will clearly identify the position of the broken down vehicle at any given point in time. A map may also help the driver to locate the next place to get immediate help.
Being prepared may also be in the form of putting some cash away or keeping some phone cards that can be used to make calls for help when the need arises.
It could equally mean having the phone number of a helpline services company at an arm's length.
Other Helpful Tips
- Ensure that your warning triangle is available at all times
These are the red colored warning triangles that form part of motor vehicle safety gears and accessories.
- Move to the shoulder of the road
In the event of a breakdown, it is important that the vehicle be moved to the road shoulder out of the line of oncoming vehicles which may be traveling at high speeds.
- Put on a reflective jacket
Wearing a reflective jacket will not only keep you in clear sight of oncoming traffic but will also keep you visible when help finally comes.
The author is an avid blogger. He loves to enlighten the people of India with essential information of roadside assistance services, safety measure and road rule. His blogs are widely appreciated and has been awarded by many veterans for his exceptional writing.
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