Getting stuck on the side of a road is never fun, but it happens. It happens to everyone at some point, and knowing what to do and what not to do can make all the difference in your safety and security should this happen to you.

Don't forget your hazard lights.

It's easy to forget, but don't forget your hazard lights. You've probably been driving for a long time and are used to just turning them on when it's necessary. But if you're getting stuck in traffic, or waiting for help after hitting something, turn them on as soon as possible! If you have a flashing red triangle, place that out in front of the vehicle so that other drivers can see it more easily (and learn not to run over it). If not, flares can be effective too; place them alongside the road where they'll be visible from both directions if there isn't much traffic coming toward you on either side of the highway. If nothing else is available—or if this advice is being given after dark—put something bright out there like a shirt or towel tied onto branches or whatever else can be used as a flagging device without being dangerous itself (towels are usually best since they're light enough to stay put).

Don't leave the car unless absolutely necessary.

●Don't leave the car unless absolutely necessary.

●Make sure no one else is in the car with you before leaving. If you're alone, leave a message for someone to check on you; if others are with you, stay together as a group until help arrives.

If you're in a place where there is no mobile reception, don't try to walk out of the area.

If you find yourself in an area where there is no mobile reception, don't try to walk out of the area. The last thing you want to do is get lost and find yourself miles from civilization with no way of getting help. Stay in your car and stay on the phone with the tow truck driver. If possible, pull over onto a wide shoulder so that any other cars driving by can see your hazard lights (and avoid hitting them).

Do make sure you're not on a roadway before getting out of your car.

Don't get out of your car on a roadway without making sure you're not going to be in danger. If so, stop somewhere safe and visible before turning off your engine and getting out.

Look for a rest area, gas station or other similar location where there is room to pull over safely. You don't want to be stuck on a side road with no way off!

Do call a tow truck service as soon as possible.

Do call a tow truck service as soon as possible.

●Call the police if you are in an unsafe situation.

●Call your insurance company if you have roadside assistance.

●Call a friend or family member if you don't have roadside assistance.

Do call for professional roadside assistance if you have it available through your insurance or car manufacturer.

If you have a roadside assistance plan through your insurance or car manufacturer, don't hesitate to call them. You'll want to keep track of the exact time that you called and how long it took for help to arrive in case there are any billing issues later on.

Other than that, if you haven't called anyone yet just sit tight and wait for help to come. If calling someone hasn't been an option, don't try walking home—it's probably going to take longer than waiting at the side of the road where help is likely coming soon anyway!

Do stay in touch with the tow truck as long as possible.

The tow truck driver will likely want to know your location in order to be able to find you, so if it changes, let them know. If you're unable or unwilling to speak with the driver directly (for instance, if they don't have a working phone), ask someone else who does have one—such as a passenger or another driver on the road who can relay information. In any case, give them your contact info if you have it available and provide any other details about the problem that might be helpful for them—like the make and model of your car or whether there are any hazards on the road ahead that could impede their progress.

Calling for help and knowing what to do when you're stuck on the side of the road can be easy if you know what to do beforehand.

When you’re stuck on the side of the road, there are a few things that you should always have with you in case of an emergency. While it’s not necessary to have all of these items at all times, having them when needed will make a bad situation much more manageable. Here are some things to keep with you:

●Your car keys. If your car breaks down and you don't have your key fob or keys inside the vehicle, it can be very difficult for anyone who wants to help get into your vehicle and help fix it.

●Your cell phone and charger (or a backup battery). If something happens while driving where one cannot call for help by themselves (and most people use their phones as their GPS), it's good practice to carry along something that can charge their phone so they'll still be able to reach out when needed! You should also know how long it takes until fully charged again so if this happens while driving somewhere far away from home or work location then there won't be any wasted time figuring out where exactly we need assistance from first place which saves precious minutes here too."

Conclusion

Even though you may feel embarrassed or frustrated by the situation, there are ways to turn it around and make the most of your car troubles. By taking a few simple steps, you can ensure that your breakdown experience is safe, pleasant and even kind of fun.