A roadside emergency is practically inevitable, most drivers have dealt with at least one roadside emergency at some point in their life. Your car can get stuck in the middle of nowhere- might be due to a flat tire, an unexpected empty gas tank, dead battery, or faulty transmission- without any pit stops for your car. The key is to having a plan ready at all times to respond to such setbacks efficiently.

Follow these tips to stay prepared and stay safe in the face of a roadside emergency:

Know your emergency numbers- The first thing you must do is to get off the roadway to stay safe and keep your car safe from debris being kicked up by other vehicles, which could damage your paint or auto glass. You must know exactly who you can call during an emergency of this type, so that you can reach out for help without too much of an issue or wasting too much time. Make sure to store these numbers on your phone. It’s also advised that you have these numbers written down and stored in your car. This way, you’ll have access to the numbers even if your phone stops working or runs out of battery.

Make your car visible to others- An easy way to do that is by using your hazard lights (as soon as you realize there’s a problem). Make flares, warning lights or a hazard triangle a part of your emergency kit to be able to alert other drivers in case of an untoward roadside emergency.

Stock up on proper tools- One of the easiest ways to prepare ahead of time in the event of a car breakdown or issue is by packing an emergency kit, which should include road flares, tarp, ponchos, jumper cables, duct tape, flashlight and extra batteries, rags, bottled water and non-perishable snacks, multipurpose tools, first aid kit (comprising band-aids, antiseptic, hand sanitizer, bug spray, aspirin, cotton balls, gauze pads, and tweezers), a portable fire extinguisher, cell phone charger, and refillable gas jug.

To narrow it all down, your emergency kit must at least comprise first aid kit, multipurpose tools, cell phone charger, jumper cables, road flares, and bottled water and some snacks.

There are some issues that you yourself can manage, for example, you can certainly fix a flat tire on your own, so don’t forget to stock up on a spare tire, jack, tools to remove nuts and bolts, or a tire repair kit; then comes a dead car battery, which you can deal with using car battery chargers, so keep one of these in your car.

Do not leave your vehicle- As much as it might be tempting to leave the vehicle and call for help, however, at least one person must stay near the car at all times. Moreover, your chances of getting help are better if you're close to your car. If your vehicle has broken down, park the car then safely exit the vehicle. If there’s family, you all must exit the car from a door that is away from the oncoming traffic. In the event of bad weather, it is best to stay in the vehicle and keep your seatbelt fastened when sitting in your vehicle. If you need assistance, contact 911 or your roadside assistance service. Also, search on your phone for an auto or tow shop nearby.

It is useful to have access to a roadside assistance service, which can make an emergency less frightening, especially when you’re somewhere unfamiliar, when it’s dark outside or in the event of extreme weather. Such services can help with a range of car problems, not to mention someone has your back (at all times) if something goes wrong. It's important to understand what roadside emergency assistance covers, and check with your car manufacturer to see if they provide on-demand roadside assistance.

For interstate travel, it’s wise to consider shuttle van services Maryland to New York or vice versa, rather than driving yourself, to ensure style and comfort.