What to Do in a Break Down

As many of us get ready for the harvest season, truck drivers have their own worries about the season. While they’re carrying grain, cattle, or any number of things from place to place to aid in harvest, they could break down. As we spoke about in our last article, it’s always best to have an emergency kit already in place. However, we didn’t get into what exactly you should do when you break down. In this article, we will explore that topic.

Stay Calm, Be Prepared

One of the most important things to remember about breaking down is that it truly does happen to everyone. Whether you’re driving a car, a truck, or something else, you’re bound to have at least one breakdown in your life. That is why it’s important to stay calm and be prepared. As discussed in our previous article, you should have an emergency kit already in place in your truck. If you don’t, now is the perfect time to create one. Whether you’re home every night or you’re on the road for weeks at a time, you should be prepared for the weather and truck-related emergencies that could leave you stranded. When this happens, it’s best to stay calm, take stock of the situation, and figure out what you can do to resolve it. Remain safety conscious when you break down and don’t panic.

How to Handle a Problem

When you realize that there is a problem with your truck, you need to act quickly. Don’t wait for the problem to become pronounced. If you suspect that there is an issue, pull over onto an on-ramp and check it out. This is much safer and easier than trying to navigate the shoulder of the road and not being hit by drivers who are not getting over and not paying attention. When you pull over, turn on your flashers, check to make sure that everyone behind you is paying attention when you slow down, and then get out and set up your triangles. These will alert drivers to your situation, and they will (hopefully) move to the other lane.

Check over the engine, or tires if this is the problem, figure out what the problem is, and resolve it yourself if you are able to. If you can’t, call for help. If you are working with a company, also call in and update them on the situation. Then…you wait, and probably wait some more. Sometimes wait times can be very long, and you should be prepared. Always keep in mind other cars on the road may not see you pulled over, so be ready for a potential collision.

At Waspy’s Truck Stop, we’re here to serve truck drivers, our local community, and the area. We know that you put in long hours, and we want to make the time that you have off to rest the most enjoyable that it can be. We offer many different options for food, several fuel types, and we now have two locations–Templeton and Audubon. Give us a call today for more information or to book a room at our Audubon hotel, Blue Grass Inn & Suites.