MERIDIAN, Idaho (PRESS RELEASE) - With the temperatures rising along with the number of vehicles on the road, Idaho State Police want you to know what to do if your car breaks down on one of Idaho's highways or interstates. 

 

 

If your vehicle breaks down the Idaho State Police offer the following safety advice to allow you time to retrieve your vehicle before it is subject to being towed:

  •   Move your vehicle completely off of the pavement and onto the dirt on the shoulder of the road.  Make sure all of your tires are off of the  pavement.
  • Use extreme caution at all times due to passing traffic and stay out of the lane of travel when attending to your vehicle.
  •  Turn your flashers on so that your vehicle can be more easily seen by other drivers.
  •  -Call *ISP (*477) from your mobile phone and let dispatch know when you expect to retrieve your vehicle along with your contact information.
  •  It is also a good idea to leave a note on the dash with your name and a current phone number so that you may be contacted.
However, if any part of the vehicle is left on the pavement it will be towed by dark.

ISP will attempt to reach you before towing your vehicle if at all possible.  If a vehicle is completely off of the pavement of the road, the general towing policy allows a motorist 48 hours to retrieve it before it is towed.  However, if any part of the vehicle is left on the pavement it will be towed by dark.  Additionally, if the vehicle is left in a location deemed a hazard, even if it is off of the pavement, it may be towed immediately.  The owner of the vehicle is responsible for all towing and storage fees and is also liable for completely abandoning a vehicle.

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ThinkStock
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If you are traveling in the Treasure Valley on I-84 between the Eisenman Road exit in Ada County and the Idaho 44/Middleton exit in Canyon County there is only a 3-hour grace period before a vehicle is towed but it may be towed immediately if it is left in a hazardous location.

ISP suggests that you be prepared for the unexpected and always travel with extra water, food and shelter from the sun such as an umbrella, in the event your vehicle breaks down or you are delayed in traffic due to a crash.  Additionally, make sure that your vehicle is in good operating condition and that you have a full tank of gas even if you believe it will be a shorter trip.

Aleksandra Glustsenko/ThinkStock
Aleksandra Glustsenko/ThinkStock
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There have been instances in the past few weeks where highways and interstates in rural locations have been closed for extended periods of time due to fatal vehicle crashes.  Troopers, local law enforcement and the Idaho Transportation Department work diligently to get traffic diverted, lanes open and traffic flowing as quickly as possible.

Stay up-to-date with the latest road reports from the Idaho Transportation Department by calling 5-1-1 or visiting 511.idaho.gov.  Updates are also available via Twitter @IdahoStPolice.

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