If you have something happen to your car while you are on the road and you need to utilize your roadside assistance, you want to make sure you take the proper steps to ensure you are safe while you wait for help. Follow the tips below if you are ever caught needing to rely on your roadside assistance to help you.

Get your car to a safe spot

You may not always have an option of getting your car off the freeway, or pulling into a safe parking lot. However, you can still make safer choices. You want to get your car as far away from fast moving traffic as possible, while still being visible. This means, if you can't exit a freeway, try to find a wide area in the shoulder that's not near a curve. Being parked right past a curve will put you in a more dangerous situation.

If you are on surface streets, choose a safe parking lot to park in. If it's nighttime, park in the parking lot close to the street and under a good amount of lighting. This will decrease your chances of falling victim to a criminal and make it easier for roadside assistance to locate your car.

Follow extra safety precautions

Always be aware of your surroundings when you are waiting. You want to stay by your car and stay in it if you are in a bad area. Look in your mirrors and around you so you know if someone is approaching you. Have your cellphone turned on and with you. Keep your windows rolled most of the way up and your doors locked.

If someone approaches you, let them know you would like them to leave you alone and don't unlock the car or roll the windows down. If anyone tries anything that makes you feel unsafe, you want to honk your horn until they leave and call the police. You should also turn on your headlights so those passing by see your car and know you are in distress.

Do not play your radio so loud you can't hear what's going on around you. If you decide to play a game on your mobile device or read a book, make it a point not to become so engrossed that you are oblivious to your surroundings, and make sure your phone doesn't die.

Be ready for roadside assistance

By the time roadside assistance shows up, you should be ready for them. Have your stuff gathered up in case you need to go with them. You also want to have proof of your policy available to show them.

For more tips or for roadside assistance, contact a company like Airport Towing.