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Taking Steps To Have Your Car Towed Successfully


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Taking Steps To Have Your Car Towed Successfully

There aren't many things that are more frustrating than dealing with a car that has developed sudden and illusive problems. You might wonder how to stay safe on the freeway or where you should pull over. My husband has worked in the towing industry for many years, and I could tell you funny, scary, and confusing stories about decisions drivers have made for him in the past. I want to make the world a safer place for tow truck drivers, which is why I created this blog. Read on to learn interesting tips for roadside safety, so that you don't find yourself in the same situation I did.

Tips On How To Provide Your Location To A Towing Service When Directionally Challenged

Being directionally challenged might not impact your everyday life — after all, a quick check of a mapping app on your smartphone will tell you where you are and where you need to go. If you have a regular cellphone instead of a smartphone, however, you won't always be able to rely on technology to help you with your location — which can be a real concern if your car breaks down in a highly remote area and you need a tow. Since you probably won't have the number of a towing service memorized, you'll need to call Directory Assistance. But once you get the towing company on the phone, you'll still need to explain where you are. Here are some tips to pinpoint your location.

Think Of Recent Landmarks

While it can occasionally be easy to drive without paying much attention to the scenery around you, it's important to keep your eyes peeled while you drive, and especially if you're in a remote area. This means trying to catch the names of the streets on which you're driving, as well as noting any landmarks you pass. Remember, the towing dispatcher will know the area well. So, if you say you're headed toward a certain destination and traveling on a certain highway and you drove by a fire station about 10 minutes ago, the tow truck driver should be able to pinpoint your approximate location.

Figure Out Your Direction Of Travel

If you're really directionally challenged, you might not immediately know whether you're headed west or east, north or south — and it's no use saying you're on a certain road if you can't explain your direction of travel. Take a look at the position of the sun and consider the time of day. The sun rises in the east, so if it's early in the morning, you'll know which rough direction is east. You can make a quick calculation from there by picturing the position of north, east, south and west on the face of a compass, and then relay this information to the dispatcher.

Determine If There's A Cross Street In Walking Distance

Provided that it's safe to leave your vehicle and walk for a short distance, you can often glean additional information about your location that will help when you call the towing service, like Gervais Towing & Recovery. If you passed a street a few minutes earlier but didn't note its name, it can be a good idea to lock your vehicle and walk in the direction you just came from. When you reach the cross street, you can confirm the street you're on and the nearest cross street, which will provide a clear idea of your location.