When it comes to roadside assistance, you want all of your experiences to be good ones. However, there are some horror stories out there that make you cringe. Thankfully, most of these stories have nothing to do with the roadside assistance company, and everything to do with what happens before the tow truck arrives. If you ever find yourself needing roadside assistance, here is how to remain safe while waiting for the towing truck to arrive.

​Get Your Vehicle onto the Shoulder of the Road, If You Can

Being stuck in the middle of traffic and trying to get out of everyone's way is especially dangerous. If you can get over to the shoulder of the road, do it. If there is a safe turn-out spot, park your vehicle there. The more you are out of the way of oncoming cars, the better it is for you and your vehicle. However, you should never exit your vehicle to try and push it out of the way when there are a lot of cars coming from behind you very fast. Many drivers are not going to see that you are stuck, and they can accidentally strike you, your car door, etc., when you are exiting or have exited the vehicle to try and push your vehicle out of the way.

​Do Not Get out of the Vehicle until the Tow Truck Arrives

​​Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not get out of your vehicle. You are much safer remaining in your vehicle and seat belted in than you are out on the road. When the tow truck driver arrives, he/she should identify him/herself and announce who sent him/her. If the driver states that he/she was sent by your roadside assistance company, then it is safe to exit your vehicle.

Also, do not get out of your vehicle for a single police officer. There are too many awful stories about people posing as police officers. A real police officer would only ask you to get out of your vehicle if he/she suspects you are driving under the influence, and even then, the police officer would have a partner to corroborate the incident to protect everyone involved. You can lock your doors and roll down the window a crack--just enough to pass a license through, should a "police officer" ask for it.

​If Strangers Offer to Help,  Use Your Gut Instinct

It is normal for people to want to help others in trouble. Some people may even stop to ask you if you need help. As a general rule, you should thank them and wave them on, but if your gut instinct says that they genuinely want to help and are safe, you can let them help you. Pushing your vehicle to the shoulder of the road from behind while you remain in your vehicle to steer is safe enough that you can accept that kind of help. Use your gut to feel people out.

Contact a service, like Parkway Wrecker Service, for more help during a breakdown.