Recently, we heard a story from a friend whose rental car broke down while driving from Vegas to Palm Springs – namely, in the desert. It was a scary situation because literally no one was on the road and it was, well, the desert. So even if Hatfield, PA isn’t that remote, Peruzzi Toyota has these suggestions on handling a roadside emergency in which you find yourself really off the beaten path.
BE PREPARED
It’s always smart to have an emergency kit prepared with the proper tools. That includes road flares, a phone charger, empty gas can, multipurpose tool, pencil and paper, flashlight, First Aid kit, jumper cables, and bottled water (with some non-perishable snacks). In cold weather, throw in a blanket and extra shirt for layers.
GET OFF THE ROAD
Move your car as far off the road as you can and use your hazard lights to make yourself visible. You can also lift your hood as a sign you need help.
STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE
Unless you’re in walking distance to a populated area, experts suggest that it’s best to stay with your vehicle, especially if the weather is harsh. Stay inside and lock the doors. For safety reasons, it’s best to decline help from strangers.
CALL FOR HELP
This is where it can be tricky. Our friend couldn’t get cell service where she was, so calling the usual Roadside Assistance crew was out. However, you can still call 911. The FCC rule is that all cell providers must put through any emergency call that they pick up on their service. That’s what she did, and help arrived soon after.
It’s good to know that as part of their ownership, Peruzzi customers get ToyotaCare, a 24-hour roadside assistance plan. We’ll get to you fast to fix a flat, jump start a battery, or whatever else we can do to get you safely on your way.
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