All sorts of strange things happen to cars – flat tires, engine problems, windshield wipers that malfunction in the middle of a storm. The list goes on. But no matter what the situation, you should never pull over on the left side of the road if you have an emergency.
First thing’s first: the left lane is the fast lane. It’s extremely dangerous to pull over on the left, even if there’s a small shoulder, because cars in the left lane move at much higher speeds than cars in the right and center lanes. If you pull over on the left, drivers will have less time to see your car and react to slow down, move around you, or stop. Do we even have to mention that cars pulled over on the left are also directly in the way of oncoming traffic? Even if your hazards are on, don’t depend on other drivers’ reflexes for your own safety.
In the second place, the left lane is also the lane in which emergency vehicles (ambulances, police cars, firetrucks, etc.) drive when they need to get to a situation in a hurry. Cars move out of their way so that they can drive at breakneck speeds, and no matter how easy it may be to see your car, you’re just not the priority. Not only could an emergency vehicle slam into you, but if it does go around you, you may have taken a few precious seconds away from a person who really needs emergency help. Be smart and considerate when your car breaks down: pull over on the right.
Finally, you should pull over on the right because you’ll make it easier for assisting vehicles to also pull over and help. If you’ve contacted an emergency vehicle service or towing service, the driver will look for you on the right. If you’re there, it will be easier to spot you. Once the driver has seen your car, he or she needs enough space to park the assisting vehicle and do any repairs that you may need. Almost never is the left-hand shoulder wide enough for repairs or towing preparation. If you’ve called a friend to help, the same applies: your friend needs space to help you, and on the right-hand side, you, your friend, and both of your cars will be much safer from oncoming traffic.
It’s a mistake to pull over on the left: if you still have any control over the car during an emergency, get to the right.