There are numerous roadside repairs in Dallas that happen daily. These emergencies on the road happen to even the most well-maintained trucks. Some things are just out of our control like a flat tire or an overheated engine, and these can often happen at the worst possible times and locations.
If this happens to you while you’re plying the highway, don’t panic. There are 5 easy roadside tips for trucks in Dallas that you can follow to stay safe.
Get Off The Road
The first thing you’re going to want to do when you notice something wrong with your vehicle is to find a safe spot where you can pull over. As much as possible, you’ll want to find a safe spot off the side of the road and away from traffic. Many of the roadside repairs in Dallas are done on site, so it’s better to have a safe space to work in, free from the worry of getting hit by traffic.
An emergency bay or open area will also be okay, especially in cases when your truck won’t be able to move or get far. The main point is here is getting your vehicle out of the way to keep the road clear. Otherwise, some vehicles might not be able to get around your truck and you’ll also be taking up space on the road and can cause at traffic jam. By doing this, you also reduce your risk for accidents by staying out of the way of traffic.
Make Yourself Visible
Once you’re in a safe spot, the next thing you need to do is make yourself visible to other drivers. Turn on your hazard lights and parking lights. Open your hood to indicate that there’s something wrong with your truck so you might not be able to move. You can also place red warning triangles outside if it is safe to do so.
These measures alert other drivers of your presence and informs them as they move through traffic and avoid your vehicle. These lights and indictors will also help roadside assistance find you later.
Exit Your Vehicle Carefully
When exiting your vehicle, do so slowly and carefully. Try exiting on the passenger side to stay clear of other vehicles on the road. If it’s unsafe to do so, stay in the vehicle with the seatbelt on. However, if the engine is smoking or you can smell gas, you should get as far away as possible.
Stay Away From The Road
Once outside your vehicle, you should stay away from the road to avoid being hit by oncoming traffic. The last thing you want to worry about right now is getting injured while waiting for help. If you can, stand behind a barrier to further protect against any accidents or simply move away from the road.
Call Roadside Assistance
Probably the most important roadside tip for trucks in Dallas is to call roadside assistance as soon as it is safe. Drivers usually have someone in the fleet that they can reach out to in case of emergencies. For drivers, it’s important that you detail what happened to the vehicle and be very specific on your current location, so roadside assistance can quickly find you.
In most cases, the problem requires more than what a truck driver is prepared for. A roadside repair team will have the expertise and the needed parts to repair a truck on site. Most of the time, it’s more beneficial if a truck can be repaired on the road without having to stop somewhere for further repair. So having a reliable service provider in the areas where you operate is an important aspect of keeping your fleet in working order.
Finding The Right Service Provider For Roadside Repairs In Dallas
Some fleets have their own mobile maintenance vehicles that they can dispatch in case of emergencies, but many fleets rely on local service providers depending on where the breakdown happens. When you need roadside repairs in Dallas or nearby areas, you want a service provider who has the expertise and needed parts and tools on hand or can at least get them quickly. Contact us as WTX Truck Repair for truck repair in Dallas, Texas. Whether it’s regular fleet maintenance or roadside assistance, we can help get your truck back up and running in no time, and keep them running further for longer.
