All Cars, All the Time

Freeway Breakdowns, What to Do?

This morning a 60 year old man was killed on a Bay Area freeway while laying down flares in the fast lane (source). His car had spun out and hit the center divider and was placing flares behind the car. According to the CHP officer the broken down car was completely out of the fast lane and the driver should have stayed with his car.

It’s interesting advice but one that conflicts with other advice police officers and safety advocates who say ”Even if it’s cold or rainy, get out of the vehicle – it is dangerous to wait inside as you are at risk of being hit from the rear at high speed by passing cars. Put your coat on and get out while you still can.” (source).

AAA's magazine (source) says that if you are on a roadway w/ no shoulder you should: “use your turn signal to warn other drivers that you are changing lanes, and move to a side lane--preferably the right-hand lane. Then, immediately turn on your hazard lights.” On a bridge “set your brake, and get out of your car on the side away from traffic. Keep your eyes on traffic as you set up your emergency warning devices. Use the nearest call box, then stand approximately 150 feet in front of your vehicle on the catwalk area.”

Given that the deceased driver was in the center and not off to the side I think the advice to stay in the car is sound. It’s pretty crazy to try and cross lanes of traffic. As for trying to lay out flares, that’s a tough call. Certainly flares do call attention to your vehicle, but with bleary eyed commuters flying by it’s too easy to be hit while placing the flares on the roadway (that's 20/20 hindsight, though, isn't it).

As for staying/going there are a number of questions that I would ask myself:

What are the traffic and weather conditions like? How fast is traffic moving?
How far off the road can I get my car (without sliding into the ditch on a soft shoulder or otherwise making matters worse)?
Can I leave the car from the passenger side and onto the shoulder?
If I leave the car, can I scramble up an embankment or something where I can get some real distance from the roadway?

If you do stay in the car with the flashers on, you should also have your seatbelt on as well. On a level roadway, experts also advise that the car be in neutral with the e-brake off. Obviously if the car starts to roll you can’t do this, but if the car stays in place then you are protecting yourself a little bit if you should get hit from behind. Just don’t forget to put it in park once help arrives and you exit the car!

One thing all sources agree on is that pets should stay in the car.

So much of what you should do depends on the conditions you find yourself in. It’s really difficult to think of all the scenarios, but giving some thought to this situation before it ever happens means that you’re a step ahead.