These are dangerous times - know what to do when your car breaks-down to stay safe

1st for Women Insurance Brokers has echoed calls from police urging motorists to issue extreme caution should their cars breakdown at the roadside.

This follows the senseless murder of a man on the N14 highway on Tuesday, 20 January 2009 when he stopped to assist a friend who had car trouble.

“Motorists, particularly those travelling alone or with children in the car, should avoid stopping at the roadside at all costs. However, in the event of a breakdown, it may not always be possible to keep driving to a safer place. In the event of a breakdown forcing you to stop your car, it is critical to remain vigilant and follow basic safety procedures to ensure your safety,” urges Robyn Farrell, managing director of 1st for Women Insurance Brokers.

1st for Women offers the following advice in the event of a breakdown forcing your car to stop:

• Put on your hazard lights.
• If possible, pull into the emergency lane or onto the shoulder of the road (as far left as possible).
• Make sure that your car remains visible to the road.
• If you haven’t managed to move your car to the shoulder of the road and you are worried it might be hit by another car, get out of your vehicle when it is safe to do so and walk carefully to the side of the road. Ideally, you should remain in your car with the doors locked.
• Immediately call for professional emergency assistance. Most insurers, medical aid companies and even vehicle finance companies offer emergency roadside assistance. 1st for Women offers a Guardian Angel emergency and roadside assistance service for all women who have broken-down.
• Make sure to give all the relevant details of your position so that you can be quickly and easily located by emergency professionals. Ensure that you stress the fact that your car has broken-down and that you are vulnerable.
• If your car is safely out of traffic, wait inside your vehicle. Keep your windows closed and your doors locked.
• Do not disembark from your vehicle or flag down other motorists.
• Do not attempt any repairs.
• Do not open the bonnet of your car as this will block your view and you won’t be able to see if anyone approaches your vehicle.
• Watch and wait for professional emergency assistance.
• Do not accept help from anyone aside from a uniformed police officer, metro officer or other emergency personnel. Most major highways and roads are patrolled regularly.

Motorists who are accosted by criminals while awaiting assistance should follow these seven golden rules to avoid being hurt:

• Remain calm.
• Do not argue.
• Do not make sudden gestures.
• Avoid eye contact but try to remember what the carjacker looked like by identifying and remembering special features.
• Comply with the hijackers directions (within reason).
• Try and get away from the area as quickly as possible.
• Don’t be a hero or a heroine – your life is worth more than your car!

Farrell concludes: “These are dangerous times and a breakdown is more than just an inconvenience, it can be life-threatening. Always ensure that your car is properly maintained and that you have enough petrol in your tank to reduce the risk of a breakdown or running out of fuel.

“Be prepared for any eventuality. Memorise, or carry with you, the roadside assistance numbers of your insurance provider, medical aid company and the metro police. Make sure that your cellphone is fully charged so that you are able to call for help.

“Familiarise with basic safety procedures and know the best course of action to take in the event of a breakdown on any stretch of road, not only those which are notoriously dangerous such as the N14.”