Breakdown! The rule of roadside repair

Nothing is as frustrating as when your vehicle suddenly sputters and stops. Although owning a vehicle means taking proper car of it and being prepared to handle inevitable mishaps.

"Knowing how to avoid or cope with emergency breakdown situations is the responsibility of every driver," says Jeanette Espie, executive director of Alberta Transportation's Traffic Safety Initiative.

There are several things you can do to ward off possible breakdowns. Regular maintenance is critical but despite the best maintenance and pre-trip inspection, vehicles can still unexpectedly break down. When travelling, be aware of early trouble signs by monitoring your dashboard gauges and warning lights. If you notice differences in your vehicle's handling, have it checked out right away.

If your vehicle does break down, here are some tips to help you deal safely with the situation:

• Activate hazard lights immediately and pull off the road on the far right shoulder, well off travelled lanes.
• Stop on the centre median only if you have no other options. If you must stop there, ensure the vehicle is as far as possible off the travelled lanes.
• Set flares or reflective triangles behind the vehicle, especially at night. Or tie a white cloth to the left door handle or radio aerial.
• Use your cellular phone if you have one to call for assistance if you cannot repair the problem yourself.
• Be cautious when someone approaches to help and, if needed, ask this person to telephone to contact the police or a tow truck.

If only minor repairs are required to get your vehicle on the road again, you might decide to attempt this yourself. When attempting any roadside repairs, remember to keep tools, parts, tires and yourself off the road and away from traffic.

Depending on the location, remain inside the vehicle, closing the windows and locking the doors. In winter, if leaving the engine running, leave one window open just a bit to aid in air circulation. If staying inside a vehicle with the engine running make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow or mud.

Remember to carry an emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle that contains:

"Always be prepared for the unexpected," reinforces Espie. "Knowing how to cope with an emergency breakdown and roadside repair will get you through the situation safely and help keep Alberta's roads safer."

For information about traffic safety, please contact the Traffic Safety Initiative at (780) 422-8839 or visit www.saferoads.com.

For more information, please contact:

Dial 310-0000 for toll-free access in Alberta.