AAA: If Your Car Leaves You Stranded

From the East Penn Region of AAA East Central, an affiliate of AAA and the Pennsylvania AAA Federation:

Many Americans rely on their cars for nearly every part of their life. One of the most stressful things that can happen to a driver is to suddenly realize their car won't start. When that happens:

• Ensure the vehicle, if an automatic transmission, is fully in park. Make sure there is fuel in the car. 

• If a vehicle begins to experience problems while being driven or suddenly can no longer be driven, safety should become the driver’s first priority. Drive to a safe location such as a parking lot. If the vehicle stops running but still has coasting momentum, guide it to the far right shoulder, as far off the road as possible while remaining on level ground. Turn on the emergency flashers to alert other motorists.

• If the car cannot get completely off the roadway, switch on the safety/emergency flashers and consider leaving the vehicle and moving to a safer location. Occupants should not remain in a vehicle if there is a possibility it may be struck from behind by other traffic. It is generally not a good idea to attempt to push the car off the road. Drivers and passengers should exit a broken down car on the side away from traffic if at all possible. Use extreme caution and watch for oncoming vehicles, especially at night or in bad weather when visibility is limited. While waiting for help, never stand directly behind or in front of the disabled vehicle. 

• In addition to turning on a vehicle’s emergency flashers, drivers can signal other motorists that they have a problem by raising the car hood, tying a brightly colored handkerchief or scarf to the antenna or door handle, or setting out flares, warning triangles or emergency beacons.

• Make note of surroundings, landmarks, buildings or road signs to help relay your location. 

AAA offers an in-depth guide, “What to Do When Your Vehicle Breaks Down: The AAA Guide to Personal Safety.” The guide can be downloaded for free at AAA.com/Public Affairs.