5 Safety Tips for Roadside Breakdowns
You’re heading down the highway when trouble strikes. Whether it’s a tire going down, a dying battery or an electrical issue, you’ll need to know how to react. Use these five tips to stay safe during a roadside breakdown:
1. Find a safe place to pull over. If your truck is still drivable, pull over on the side of the road, as far away from traffic as possible. Try to avoid areas where visibility may be bad, such as tight curves or a hillside.
2. Turn on your four-way flashers. If it’s at night, also keep your headlights on and turn on the dome light in the truck.
3. Put on your high-visibility safety vest. If your truck doesn’t have one, you should get one. They are bright orange, lime or yellow, with reflective striping that ensures you are seen even on the darkest roadways.
4. Set up your truck’s warning devices. All trucks must carry warning markers. Typically, you’ll find three reflective triangles, but your vehicle may also have fuses or liquid-burning flames. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulation 392.22 requires drivers to place warning devices outside their truck within 10 minutes of a highway breakdown. Per the regulation:
- Place the first warning device on the traffic side of and about 10 feet (four paces) from your stopped truck in the direction of approaching traffic
- Place a second device about 100 feet (40 paces) from your stopped vehicle in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder occupied by your truck and in the direction of approaching traffic
- Place a third device about 100 feet (40 paces) from your stopped vehicle in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder occupied by your truck and in the direction away from approaching traffic
On a divided highway or one-way road, place the first warning device at 200 feet and the second at 100 feet in the direction toward approaching traffic in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder occupied by your truck. Place the third marker within 10 feet of the rear of your truck.
If your truck breaks down on a curve or in an obstructed area, place warning signals 100 feet to 500 feet from your truck. Warning devices are required in a business or residential district only at night.
5. Return to your truck and stay inside. Call for service (Penske Truck Leasing offers 24/7 roadside assistance) and notify your dispatcher. Do not try to fix the truck yourself. Remain in the cab until help arrives.
