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PrintWhat Would You Do: Car Trouble On the Highway
Car trouble can be a pain, no matter where you are ... But what happens if it strikes while you're on a busy freeway ... What Would You Do? Seven's Charles Perez with the answers.
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All it takes is half an inch at 55 miles per hour to veer off and strike somebody that's trying to change a tire."And that half an inch can kill someone in an instant.
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To help to change a tire, that's all."This man's son was killed by a speeding car in august after he stopped to help another driver change a tire.
That's why state patrol officers say you have to stay alert.
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If you're on a busy road, like I-95, you've got to maintain your cool. You've got to be very patient about that."So what do you do if you're driving down the road and find yourself in trouble?
First, get off the road... and, second, get to the closest side.
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If you're in the extreme left lane, you should engage your turn signal ... to let the traffic behind you know that you're going to be changing lanes and that you're going to merge over to the emergency lane."Next ... put on your flashers ... Get out and lift up the hood.
Then do nothing.
Bottom line? The safest place you can be is right inside your own car.
Then, the thing to do, is pick up your phone and dial FHP and sit and wait for them to send help.
Star F-H-P is a free call from any cell phone.
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e have a great road ranger system in this county, and they'll respond within 20-minutes to change that tire for you.'Road Rangers patrol the interstate 24 hours a day ... seven days a week.
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I think I have a flat tire."They can bring you fuel ... Change your tire .. even tow you.
And, if you don't have a cell phone, just leave your flashers running and the hood up ...
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What that does is, it draws attention around you, so everybody who's passing you who elected to notify highway patrol will notify us."Now, there is some safety equipment you can keep in your car that will help keep you from getting hit.
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We recommend you do get a box of flares ... They're very good at night and also daytime because they're very bright."You could also pick up a couple of cones ...
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Anything that will get someone's attention and call attention to your vehicle."And make sure you get home unharmed.
Next week, it's the season for jellyfish.
But what do you do if you get stung?
Charles will show us how to protect ourselves.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: cperez@wsvn.com