CONTRIBUTED CONTENT: Fall driving in North Idaho: What to do when the unexpected happens

October in North Idaho brings rain, colder temperatures, shorter days, and increasingly slick roads. A normal commute can become stressful quickly when a vehicle breaks down, slides off the road, or gets stuck in an unsafe location. Preparing before conditions worsen can help drivers reduce risk and respond more calmly when the unexpected happens. Here are a few of, what we here at OMW TOWING consider, the top preparations to make ahead of time.  

Prepare Your Vehicle for Changing Conditions  

A few routine checks can make a meaningful difference before winter weather arrives. Check tire tread and pressure and have the battery tested to help avoid cold-weather starting problems. Make sure windshield wipers, headlights, and brakes are working properly, especially as rain and early darkness reduce visibility. Keep an emergency kit in the vehicle with warm clothing, a flashlight, and essential supplies. On the road, slow down for wet leaves and rain-slick pavement, which create reduced traction. Avoid unfamiliar routes or conditions that may be hazardous, particularly when visibility is poor or road shoulders are unstable. 

If Your Vehicle Breaks Down or Gets Stuck Safety comes first 

Turn on your hazard lights and, if it can be done safely, move the vehicle away from traffic. If the vehicle cannot be moved, stay alert to passing traffic and avoid standing near the roadway — stay in your vehicle when possible, with your seat belt on and wait for law enforcement or the tow operator to make sure it is safe, before exiting your vehicle. Do not attempt a recovery that could put you or others at risk. Slippery shoulders, unstable ground, steep embankments, and nearby traffic can make a simple situation more dangerous. Professional towing assistance is often the safest option when a vehicle is disabled, off the roadway, or stuck in a difficult position. Oftentimes, “good Samaritans” stop and offer to help recover your vehicle. This is thoughtful, but so much can go wrong and quickly become a dangerous situation. Having a professional towing and recovery team, such as OMW Towing, can minimize risks with proper equipment and experience in similar situations.  

How Professional Towing and Recovery Helps  

Professional companies, like OMW Towing, provide towing and vehicle recovery services for passenger cars, SUVs, and other light-duty vehicles. These recovery services can help when a vehicle is disabled, cannot be driven safely, or needs assistance returning to the road from an unsafe position. Their operators are trained, insured and ready to help in all kinds of weather. Rather than taking unnecessary risks with an improvised recovery, drivers can rely on trained, professional assistance for situations that require the right equipment and a safety-focused approach.  

Know who to count on when roadside troubles arise 

OMW Towing delivers dependable, light-duty towing and vehicle recovery to keep you and your family safe on the road. Be prepared and save OMW Towing's phone number (208-966-4199) before fall weather shifts and make a stressful roadside emergency much easier to navigate.