When it comes to needing an emergency tow, your safety is the number one priority. Accidents and breakdowns are stressful enough without putting yourself in danger too.
At SEQ Towing Service, we value the safety of our clients, as well as the vehicles in our service, and our team has put together a helpful guide on how to stay safe while waiting for your tow truck.
Safety advice when waiting for an emergency tow
Before we get into the details about how to stay safe, a quick reminder: Always call 000 first in the event of an accident or if medical attention is required. In a true emergency, these are your first responders who must be contacted as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Get to a safe place
Often when you need an unexpected tow, it’s still possible to move your car a short distance. For example, if you have a flat tyre on the side of the highway, it may be worth driving slowly to the next exit so you can wait in a safer location.
In an emergency tow situation, the safety of you and your passengers should always be number one. The ideal location is somewhere away from fast moving traffic where your vehicle can be easily seen by motorists. Keep hazard lights on and use reflective items for visibility.
Assess the situation
When faced with the need for emergency towing, it’s so important to approach the situation thoughtfully and prioritize safety above all else. After you’ve made the call for a tow truck, take a moment to calmly evaluate the circumstances.
Consider whether it’s safer to remain within the vehicle or exit and wait outside. The decision usually depends on where the car is parked, the time of day and whether you’re by yourself or with a group. There’s no single ‘correct’ answer, just pay attention to your surroundings.
Be visible
Even on a sunny day, do what you can to make yourself visible to other drivers. Make sure you put your hazard lights on, use reflective markers if you have them and try to park in a location that isn’t obscured.
By leaving your lights off and parking on a blind corner or the crest of a hill, you’re making it that much harder for motorists to see you at speed. Particularly if they aren’t really paying attention to their surroundings. Improving your visibility could be the exact thing that avoids a collision and gets you and your car home safely.
If you do find yourself stuck in a precarious location and have no way to move your car, you can also use the torch on your phone to attract attention. You don’t always need fancy equipment, just something to get drivers’ attention.
Call for assistance
If an injury has occurred, you suspect a fuel leak or a vehicle has impacted with a power pole, it can feel like an isolating experience but help is always just a phone call away. As we mentioned above, call 000 for assistance first.
Once that’s done, give us a call on 0407 968 357 with the details, let us know it’s an emergency towing situation and we’ll dispatch a truck immediately. While you wait, it’s a good idea to call a friend or taxi so you have a secure ride home after loading your car onto the truck.
Be descriptive
When it comes to getting your vehicle home safely, the best thing you can do is give us as many details as you can. For example:
- Where are you located?
- What’s the condition of you, your passengers and your vehicle?
- Are you and your vehicle in a safe location, visible to other drivers?
- What make, model and colour is your vehicle?
- Which side of the road is it on?
- Is it in good enough condition to be rolled onto a truck?
You get the picture. Any kind of information you can offer on the phone will help us get the right truck and equipment on site as quickly as possible.
If you’re unsure of your current location, you probably have Google Maps in your pocket. That’s often the fastest option!
Wait safely for our truck
As we recently covered in our post about staying organized for a smooth tow truck experience, staying in your car can be a safe place to wait for the tow truck. But, that doesn’t mean it’s always the best option. It’s important to assess your current situation, where your car is located and what other options available.
Be sure to check out that blog post for more detailed information!
SEQ Towing will take your vehicle to the location of your choice, however, speaking with your insurance company to determine what you are covered for will help avoid unexpected costs
Remove personal items from the vehicle
Although our holding yard is always secured and we do everything we can to keep your vehicle safe, it’s always best to remove valuables from your car. This is especially true if your vehicle is being towed to a third party location like a mechanic or panel beater. Naturally, we have zero control over how they store your vehicle in those circumstances.
If you must leave certain things in your car, make sure they’re at least stored in a place that’s out of plain sight.
Stay calm
Often, tow trucks are needed under stressful circumstances like an breakdown or an accident. While it’s easier said than done, try to stay calm throughout the process and leave your vehicle to the professionals.
We’ve been a proud towing operator in the Redlands and Capalaba region for decades and have both the tools and experience to walk you through every step of the way. We understand that this may be a new experience for you and are always happy to answer any questions you might have along the way. All you have to do is ask!
Breakdown and accident towing 24/7
SEQ Towing Services offers fast, stress-free emergency towing in Brisbane, Redlands, and the surrounding areas with direct to insurance billing. Our team is professional and fully insured to offer you the smoothest towing experience possible.
We also offer planned vehicle transport, so get in touch to find out more.
