Being alone and helpless is one of the scariest things that can happen to anyone and that is why it features prominently in so many horror movies. If you are driving alone, night or day, and your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, then you can genuinely feel like you are all alone in the world, despite having a cell phone. Here are some quick Do’s and Don’ts for such a situation.

Do – Call for Help

Now that most of us have mobile phones, it might be a good idea to have some emergency numbers saved in our contacts, like a nation-wide 24 hour tow truck service. That way you will always have a number to call. The first thing you should do when your car breaks down is see if you can fix it. If you cannot fix it, don’t bother trying. Call the number and if you don’t have any emergency contacts on your phone, call someone you know will always answer their phone, tell them your predicament and your location and have them ring someone up. 

Don’t – Stay There

Once you have called the towing people, do not stay by your car, especially if it is a lonely stretch of road. You can always get picked up by the service. Remember to ask them which way they will be coming and then start walking towards that. Most people tend to lock themselves in the vehicle thinking it’s safer. Quite apart from the fact that you might suffocate from lack of breathable air, if an assailant does show up, you will have nowhere to go. If you were on the road, you can always hide yourself if you feel the oncoming people are suspicious. Check this website if you are looking for reliable towing service.

Do – Take Your Documents

When you do start legging it to the nearest town, don’t bother taking your backpack, luggage or any other thing that will slow and weigh you down. Take only that which you will need to prove your identity. In the event that you were unable to contact anyone, and your cell phone isn’t working either, take only your identity cards, the car’s license documents and the keys. A water bottle or so is fine but don’t take anything more than a purse because it will become cumbersome to carry after a while. If you happen to have a taser or pepper spray, then you can take that with you. 

Don’t – Fix It Yourself

Even if you are a member of the best garage in town, do not spend time trying to fox your own car in a breakdown unless there’s someone else with you who’s got your back. Absorbed in a task, all on their own, out on a lonely stretch of road is just begging to be robbed or attacked. Do the above and start walking.