Winter Preparedness for Motorists

Winter is working it's way through the United States, and it will soon be cold in most places. With the cold weather, comes a change in precipitation - often leaving roads icy, snowy, and dangerous. Without a doubt, we recommend that people stay home if they can. Keep your fridge stocked, your pantry full, and make sure you have toilet paper. The essentials, you know?

If you know that once the weather turns sour, you will be forced out into the cold, make sure you have a few essentials in your car. We recommend a first aid kit, so that if you find yourself in an accident, you can quickly patch up any wounds you have incurred while you wait for help.

We also recommend that you stick a blanket in your car, to wrap yourself in. If your car stalls, or you are involved in an accident, and stranded for some time, cold temperatures can be your enemy. Stay inside your car if it is safe to do so, and wrap up in your blanket. Hopefully you left home in good shoes, a coat, and with a hat. Staying warm is important.
Also, stash half a dozen bottles of water in your car, so you'll have something to drink. A box of granola bars, or other shelf stable snack can be good to keep on hand, too. Hopefully you don't ever have to wait long for rescue, but even a couple of hours can seem much worse without water and a snack.

The level of your preparations should account for the travel you will be doing. If you'll be in areas with low cell reception, and a high probability of having to walk for help, you'll want matches, hand warmers, and possibly a signal device. If you're going to be in good cell reception, and only having to call for assistance, then you won't need as many things to keep you safe and ready for the worst.

Make sure you charge your cell phone before you leave, so you can call for help if you need it.

If you're stranded in the Oklahoma City area and need a tow truck to come rescue you and your car, remember to call Walker's Roadside Service at 405-626-0910. When you need a tow, call a pro!

Calling For a Tow Truck - Are They Licensed?

In our industry, towing and roadside assistance, we see many fly-by-the-night providers pop up. People offer towing on flatbed trailers, with bumper pull tow dollies, and sometimes with just a chain or strap. They offer these services at a cheaper rate than calling a tow truck costs.

But what is the cost of choosing this type of provider? First and foremost, should anything happen to your car, this fly-by-the-night operation will not take any responsibility for repairs. They are not licensed by the state, so no one is there to enforce their liability, and they are often not insured for commercial use of their vehicle/trailer/bumper pull set up. This lack of insurance will leave you footing the bill for a potentially costly repair.

Since these fly-by-the-night operators pop up with little regard for the regulations the tow industry is under, they are also not seeking licenses to, in fact, operate a business. So they are not a licensed tow provider, they are not a licensed business, and they really start giving the towing industry a bad name. The owners and operators that I know pride themselves on following the licensing requirements, carry proper insure, and also seek regular training to stay up to date on the best procedures for towing the latest model cars.

When you find yourself in need of a wrecker, make sure you call someone with the proper licensing, equipment, and training. You want to get your car home or to the shop in one piece. Facing a costly repair because some fly-by yanked it around is going to put you out even more than the original reason you needed a tow.

Remember, if you're in Oklahoma City and you need a tow, call a pro! Call Walker's Roadside Service and we'll help get you going as quick as possible. You can reach us at 405-626-0910