Health & Fitness
What Should You Do: Your Vehicle Becomes Disabled on the Beltway
What every driver must know about pulling over on the road.
On Saturday, a woman was killed on the Beltway in Maryland after "her car crashed into a guardrail on the Washington Beltway in Largo and she got out of her vehicle and walked into the travel lanes". She was then struck by several vehicles and died at the scene.
What Should You Do?
If you find yourself in a disabled vehicle, there are several important steps to remember in order to stay safe. The Maryland State Police website explains that drivers should "Pull the vehicle onto the shoulder and as far way from the traveled portion of the roadway as possible. Stay with your vehicle, raise the engine hood and activate your emergency flashers. If you have a cell phone dial #77 and this will connect you to the nearest Maryland State Police Barrack."
Find out what's happening in Bethesda-Chevy Chasewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The National Safety Council has further guidance: "At the first sign of car trouble, gently and smoothly take your foot off the accelerator. Do not brake hard or suddenly. Carefully work your vehicle toward the breakdown lane or the side of the road. If you are on an interstate, try to reach an exit." Once your car has stopped, "...make your car visible. Put reflectorized triangles behind your vehicle to alert other drivers; use your emergency flashers. If it is dark, turn on the interior dome light."
If you cannot get to the shoulder of the road and your car dies in traffic, turn on your four-way flashing emergency lights, turn on the dome light to your car (if it's dark outside), and wait for assistance. It is unnerving to sit in a car with traffic building up behind you, but inside your car is much safer than trying to run across traffic lanes. Keep your seat belt fastened and wait for help to arrive.
Find out what's happening in Bethesda-Chevy Chasewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
As the AAA brochure titled "What to do if your vehicle breaks down" explains, "Never stand behind or directly in front of your vehicle. Other roadway users may have trouble seeing you, and you could be struck by another vehicle."
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Todd Jasper is a federal emergency manager and has been happy to call Chevy Chase home since 2008. His emergency management blog is www.toddjasper.com.
