Officers offer car breakdown safety tips - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Officers offer car breakdown safety tips

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By Stephanie Springer - bio | email

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By  Stephanie Springer  - bio | email

ALBANY, GA (WALB) –Most of us will encounter car troubles at least once in our life, but how do you go about taking care of something that could turn into a dangerous situation?

We've seen several cases in the past few months

People getting killed on the road trying to repair a car.

It's one of the most dangerous situations we put ourselves in on the roadway.

"The main problems you see are flat tires and vehicles that are overheated especially in the summer time," said Michelle Strickland, Safe Communities Coordinator.

Getting out of the car to take care of a roadside emergency.

"A lot of people think that drivers on the roadway see them and I think that's taken for granted, you need to assume that other people cannot see you," said Zane Dooley, Patrol Officer with the Dougherty County Police Department.

But as people become more distracted on the road more accidents are beginning to happen, which is why drivers need to take as many safety precautions as possible, number one, get your vehicle out of the way over other cars.

"Steer as far right as you can you want to get your entire vehicle off onto the shoulder of the road," said Strickland.

"We have a lot of roadways that are on the ditches with large embankments and obviously you cant pull over on places like that but if you can find a driveway and you can pull up to a store or parking lot that's the best thing you can do," said Dooley.

And number two, make yourself visible.

The first thing you should do when you put your vehicle in park is put your hazard lights on.

Officers also recommend using flares, reflective vests, and warning triangles.

Wait for traffic to clear before you get our of your vehicle where you try and determine exactly what the problem is

Only one person should get out the others should stay inside.

"Perhaps they can yell out instructions to you if they notice a driver not paying attention," said Dooley.

And something everyone should learn how to do is change a tire, which technicians say should take you no longer than 20 minutes.

But the roadway is not made for every emergency.

"If your transmission goes out the side of the road is certainly not the place to try and repair that

Experts recommend calling a wrecker service or AAA to help provide more protection.

For more safety tips click here

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