PROGRAMME: SAFETY TRAIN ON TRAFFIC RADIO (96.1FM LAGOS)
DATE: 11/01/2022
ANCHOR: FAYO WILLIAMS
TOPIC: SAFE DRIVING FOR 2022: HOW TO HANDLE A VEHICLE BREAKDOWN
GUEST SPEAKER: AKINFE SAMUEL

GUEST PROFILE:

Akinfe Samuel Babatunde is the Proprietor of Steerite Driving School Limited, an organization he started a decade ago to shape the driver training space by putting safety in the forefront.
He is an advocate of road safety and has organized several events to commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road traffic victims focusing on the full spectrum of audience required to take action alongside other reputable NGOs and government agencies.
In summary, he is an active citizen who looks forward to and contribute to the project called Nigeria.

HOW TO HANDLE A VEHICLE BREAKDOWN

• GET YOUR CAR OFF OF THE ROAD

At times a breakdown will give you no choice but to leave your car stranded in the middle of the road. However, often you’ll be able to move your car, at least a little bit. When this is the case, always steer toward the shoulder of the road. Try to do so in a gentle manner that will avoid adding an off-road accident to your unfolding predicament.
In addition, if you have a child or another person in the car, alert them to the situation and ask them to sit still and remain quiet as you slow down and maneuver to safety. If a pet is in the vehicle, make sure they’re well-contained before starting to drive so that they won’t interfere with this process, either.

• CALL FOR HELP

Once your car has stopped moving (ideally on the side of the road), call emergency responders if someone is hurt or an accident has taken place. Otherwise, call roadside assistance or a local mechanic and request professional help.
While you wait for help to arrive, be very careful not to put yourself in further danger if others offer to help you. If a stranger stops, lock your doors and crack the window to speak to them. This is especially important if you have children in the car. In addition, inform the children of the importance of remaining in the car and keeping the doors locked.

• SIGNAL TO OTHER DRIVERS THAT YOU’RE IN TROUBLE

If you cannot get professional assistance, you may need to signal to other drivers for help. Even if help is coming, you will want to alert others of your presence so that they can slow down and avoid causing further harm. You can do this by:
Turning on your hazard lights.
Popping the hood of your car.
Putting flares, flags, or reflectors on the road on either side of your vehicle.
The recommended precautions that require being outside should only be done if it’s safe to exit the vehicle. In addition, once again, if someone stops, talk to them through the window and remain quiet and stay in the car with the doors locked)

• STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE

One of the most important things to remember is that you should always stay with your vehicle in the event of a breakdown. Thousands of pedestrians are killed and tens of thousands injured every year by walking along the road.
It’s also important to stay still if you or someone else has been injured. For multiple reasons, remaining with your car is always a wise course of action as you wait for help.

• REFRAIN FROM PERFORMING AUTO-REPAIR ON THE SCENE

It may be tempting to try to solve your breakdown right there on the side of the road. However, unless you’re dealing with a spare tire or adding a little extra oil, it’s recommended that you wait until you’re at an auto-repair shop to diagnose the issue.
Once your vehicle has been moved to a safer location, professionals will be able to use diagnostic tools and apps to pinpoint the problem and address it without danger.

• ASSESS THE SITUATION

In a more general sense, and with all of the previous recommendations in mind, if you experience a breakdown, it’s essential that you take the time to meaningfully assess your situation.
Resist the urge to jump out of your car or start waving down passing vehicles seconds after you come to a stop. Instead, consider your options, avoid solutions that require on-scene repairs or leaving your car, go through your breakdown gear, and make sure that children are well aware of what’s going on and as safe as possible.

• TRY TO PREVENT BREAKDOWNS

Finally, remember that you can proactively solve the problem of a breakdown by avoiding it entirely in the first place. For instance, you can:
Always take your car into the shop on time for scheduled maintenance, such as brakes, oil changes, and fluid checks.
Conduct easy DIY car repairs and maintenance to keep everything in tip-top shape — and even save you money while you’re at it. Look for signs of impending breakdowns, such as strange noises, unusual smells, or shaking.
By working to avoid problems or, at the least, address them before they become worse, it can help you minimize the number of breakdowns that you experience.

Source: Innova Electronic Corporation
Link: https://www.innova.com/blogs/innova-blog/safety-tips-to-remember-when-your-car-breaks-down