A roadside emergency can happen at any time whether your car is old or new. A range of issues can cause an emergency situation — a flat tire, engine troubles or running out of gas.
Many are the result of distracted driving. More and more, we are encountering serious incidents and fatalities from people leaving their vehicles once they have broken down along interstates and roadways throughout the state.
If you are ever in that situation, you should utilize your turn signals, safely navigate to the right side of the roadway, gently pull off on the nearest shoulder and get your car as far away from the travel lanes as possible. Be sure to turn on your hazard lights and if possible, turn your front wheels in the opposite direction of the roadway.
Most important, be sure to stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened and your doors locked and call 511 to seek assistance.
Once the call is placed to 511, you will have several options to choose from. If you are within the metro Atlanta area, you can speak with a live operator and request:
- HERO assistance if you are within the 13 counties they serve
- HERO's can assist with stranded motorists who have run out of gas, have a flat tire or need assistance getting their car out of a travel lane
- Here is a listing of the routes they serve http://files1.iteriscdn.com/WebApps/GA/SafeTravel4/static/files/HERORoutes.pdf
- Most importantly, know your location (what Interstate is closest, what direction are you traveling, what is the closest exit to where your emergency is located)
The system can also be used to:
- Provide up-to-date travel information forthe route you are traveling
- Report an incident you have witnessed
- If you are outside the metro Atlanta area, speak with a live operator and request emergency services, such as 911
511 is a statewide service that provides motorist assistance, up-to-date traffic information and live-streaming video feeds within the metro areal. It also offers a mobile app for on-the-go travel information. Currently, 43 states utilize the system.
As a reminder before you travel, be sure you have proper air pressure and depth tread in your tires and your spare tire. Check to be sure your car’s fluid levels are topped off. It is also advised to have these emergency items stored in your car, at all times:
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- Jacket, coat or blanket
- Umbrella or raincoat
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Old pair of tennis shoes
- Paper state map
- Collapsible warning triangles
- High visibility vest
- Emergency Cell phone charger
- Jumper cables
We are in the height of the summer travel season, and it is critical to be prepared. Traffic fatalities in Georgia are up since the beginning of 2015. Many are the result of distracted driving. Georgia DOT’s safety campaign encourages motorists to “Drive Alert Drive Alive.” The yearlong campaign – a partnership between Georgia DOT, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) – implores drivers to take responsibility for their driving behavior.
We encourage drivers to take responsibility to protect yourself, your passengers, other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. Drive responsibly. Buckle up, stay off the phone and mobile devices. And drive alert.
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