Don’t Panic, We’re Here to Help
If you’re a fleet driver that travels long distances, you may have experienced a breakdown – or you may be worried that you will. Breaking down on a highway may be a little more nerve-racking than breaking down on a rural road, so here’s what to do if your vehicle decides to shut down:
Get to a straight area.
If you break down on a windy highway, try to coast down the road until the road is straight, then pull over to the side. When you’re broken down on a straight road, other drivers can see you (and avoid you) better. Also, when you go to get back on the road, you’ll have less trouble predicting the traffic behind you. Turn your hazard lights and interior light on while you wait for a police or highway patrol officer.
Don’t leave the car.
If you break down in the middle of the road and don’t have time to pull off to the side, don’t get out of your car. It’s not a good idea to try to get to the side of a busy highway on foot, so instead, put your hazard lights on, interior light on, and hang a white cloth or piece of paper out your window to let others know you’re broken down while you wait for a police or highway patrol officer.
In any breakdown situation, if you have a fleet fuel card from Fuel Express, you always can call the toll-free support number for help.
Use your emergency kit.
Fleet vehicles should come equipped with an emergency kit that includes reflective markers (such as triangles or cones). If you’re on the side of the road, set these markers up several feet behind your vehicle to let oncoming drivers know you’re experiencing problems.
Review your policy.
In every vehicle, you should find your fleet’s safety and accident policy. Review the policy and determine if any other measures should be taken before you deem the situation concluded.
Don’t try to fix the vehicle.
Even if you believe the fix is an easy one, wait for professional help. An improper repair can lead to another breakdown or a situation that’s even worse, so it’s best to simply be patient and wait for assistance.
Remember – being safe is more important than being on schedule.
