Facts About Trapped Trucks That All motorists Should Know

Everyone gets stuck at some point in their lives. Some get stuck on busy highways, on mountain roads, or on unpaved roads. Some even get stuck on busy expressways or major thoroughfares. And then there are those who get stuck on the many minor roads throughout their cities and towns. So how do stuck drivers find their way out of a stuck vehicle?

First, the stuck motorist must recognize that he/she is stuck. It’s not just a case of failing to notice that one’s vehicle is stuck. Many stuck drivers are known to merely ignore their vehicle until they come to a screeching halt. This is when the driver either rams the stuck vehicle into reverse, jumps out of the car, or runs down the highway in an attempt to right the stuck vehicle.

If the stuck vehicle is fairly well off the ground, it is most likely a simple matter to try to right the stuck vehicle by jacking up the car. Some drivers may try to use backhoes to lift the stuck vehicle, but most emergency personnel advise against using such force because it could result in damage to the stuck vehicle. Once the stuck vehicle is lifted, the driver can either try to drive it out of the blocked area on his own or he can call for an ambulance to tow the stuck car away. If there are no emergency lights or sirens on the vehicle involved, then it may be necessary for the driver to call for assistance from law enforcement officials or a tow trucker.

When stuck on the road, stuck drivers should make every effort to move ahead as safely as possible. However, it should be noted that moving forward will cause the stuck motorist to lose valuable time that may be necessary to fix the stuck vehicle. For instance, if the stuck motorist has a roll bar down on the passenger side, it may be impossible to access the trunk. If not fixed immediately, the roll bar could fall off, leaving the stuck motorist to fend for his or her life while trying to exit the vehicle. In addition, any kind of mechanical failure can prevent a vehicle from moving forward even if a tire-iron is attached to the brakes. When stuck in snow, ice or rain, it is very important that a stuck motorist finds his or her way out of the vehicle.

The main objective of law enforcement agencies and other first responder agencies is to ensure public safety. Emergency personnel professionals may use rescue breathing equipment, a.k.a. “pressurized suit” to help trapped drivers through their ordeal. These individuals are trained to respond to emergencies such as this and are equipped with the proper tools to prevent further injury or damage to the occupants of a vehicle. In addition, some agencies have gear for specifically rescuing motorists who may have been trapped on the side of the road for a period of time.

The primary concern of all emergency services personnel, including tow truckers and law enforcement officers, is to ensure the safety of the trapped motorist and others. First responders and tow truckers are well-trained to extricate stuck drivers from vehicles and bring them to safety. A trapped motorist should not attempt to break free from a vehicle on his own, as he or she may damage or worse, get seriously injured. Therefore, it is essential that a motorist not try to break free unless absolutely necessary.