Being stranded on the side of the road could be more than just a stressful and inconvenient experience. It can also be highly dangerous unless you take steps to increase your roadside safety. Here are a few ways you can keep yourself and other motorists safe while waiting for your tow truck.

Move as Far off the Road as Possible

If you need to pull over to the side of road, make sure you pull over far enough to keep your vehicle out of traffic's way. A solid shoulder that's wide enough to accommodate your vehicle is usually the best place to pull over if mechanical trouble forces you to stop along the road. If there's only a narrow or soft shoulder available, use your hazard lights and travel as far as you can until you can find a spot that's wide enough to safely accommodate your vehicle.

If at all possible, however, you're better off pulling over in a well-lit parking lot with plenty of activity and visibility from the main road. Not only does this give you a level surface where you can safely park your vehicle, but it also drastically reduces the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

Keep Your Vehicle Visible

As you wait for your tow truck, it's important to make sure your vehicle can be seen by other motorists. For starters, you should turn on your hazard lights as soon as you pull over. If you have a set of reflective triangles in the car, you should deploy these as soon as it's safe to do so. If you're carrying road flares for emergencies, you should save these for when you're stuck on a dark country road without any nearby lighting available.

Stay in Your Vehicle, If Possible

It's generally a good idea to stay in your vehicle while waiting for your tow truck, especially if you happen to break down during the winter. Staying put not only shields you from the worst of the weather, but it can also enhance your safety if you break down in an unfamiliar area. While you're in your vehicle, you should keep your doors locked and only crack your window part-way if you must speak to other motorists.

The only time you should be outside of your vehicle is if you break down outside of the shop you can take refuge in or if your car breaks down during the summer and you can't operate your air conditioning.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Since waiting for a tow truck can seem like an eternity, it's not unusual for stranded motorists to dig deep into their smartphones or do other activities to pass the time. However, it's crucial that you always remain aware of what's going on around you, from passing motorists to pedestrians and other onlookers in the area. Visit http://www.cctow.com/ for more information.