5 Scenarios When You Should Pull Over to Protect Yourself and Your Passengers
When driving in the Green Bay area, you might face situations that make you question the safest action to take. Typically, staying on the road and following the flow of traffic helps prevent accidents. However, sometimes, depending on the circumstances, the safest option is to pull over immediately.
Understanding when to move to the roadside to ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers is crucial for handling unexpected events safely. Here are five situations when you should pull over right away:
Severe Weather
Driving in extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, dense fog, or a snowstorm, poses dangers to even the most experienced drivers. Reduced visibility makes seeing other vehicles, pedestrians, and road hazards challenging.
In torrential downpours, the risk of hydroplaning increases, where your vehicle loses traction and skids uncontrollably on water-covered roads. Intense fog and snow can disguise road lines and signs, making navigation treacherous.
To ensure safety, gradually slow down, use turn signals early, and pull over in a safe location like a parking lot or the shoulder of the highway. If you’re on the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers and wait until conditions improve to continue your journey.
To Make an Emergency Phone Call
When you need urgent help due to a car problem or a road incident, it’s best to pull over before making an emergency call. This allows you to concentrate on the conversation, clearly describe the situation, and share crucial information without the dangers of distracted driving.
By moving out of traffic, you also help emergency responders reach you more quickly by being in a fixed, accessible location. This can speed up assistance, getting you out of harm’s way.
Sudden Car Troubles
Common car troubles like a flat tire, overheating engine, or flashing warning lights can suddenly turn a routine drive into a stressful situation. The safest response to these issues is to pull over immediately. This lets you safely evaluate the problem away from moving traffic, minimizing the risk of an accident.
Pull over to the side of the road or the nearest safe location and turn on your hazard lights to signal to other drivers that you have a problem. Assess the issue or call for roadside assistance to prevent further damage to your vehicle and ensure your safety.
Medical Emergencies
When a medical emergency arises while driving, such as sudden dizziness, chest pain, or a passenger falling ill, your immediate action should be to pull over safely. A sudden health issue can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, leading to a serious accident and injuries.
Pull over as soon as you feel oncoming symptoms instead of waiting for them to subside. For instance, if you feel faint, turn on your signal, move to the far right-hand lane, and park in the nearest safe space. Contact 911, if necessary, to initiate medical attention.
Seeing Engine Smoke or Fire
When a car overheats, it can send smoke or flames up through the engine carriage. This dangerous situation requires you to pull over and exit the vehicle immediately. In 2018, there were approximately 212,500 vehicle fires in the U.S., leading to 1,500 injuries and 560 deaths.
If you notice engine smoke or fire, do not continue driving or open the hood while on the road. Instead, pull over to a safe location, turn off the engine, and evacuate the vehicle with all passengers. Call 911 immediately and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle.
Get Your Free Case Evaluation Now
Taking the appropriate actions can improve your safety and that of your passengers when you need to pull over on the side of the road. However, accidents can still occur.
If you’ve been severely injured in a car accident, seeking advice from a Green Bay car accident lawyer at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers can provide you with information about your options for recovering damages.
The time following an accident can be challenging and confusing. Insurance companies may exploit your vulnerability, pressuring you into accepting a low-ball settlement. From the start, you need someone in your corner who has your best interests at heart. Contact our law firm for a free, confidential consultation.