Not Just Fires and Quakes

Not Just Fires and Quakes
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

Disasters come in many forms. In California, we often think of wildfires and earthquakes. Perhaps we don’t think of them at all, but if asked they’d be the most common answers, right?

Wildfires and earthquakes, however, are not the only disasters that happen to us. Have you ever had a flat tire or car malfunction that stranded you somewhere? Did you call for roadside assistance or a tow truck, or a friend or family member?

That was then. Now it’s a different story. We might be happy that most of us won’t get stuck in the snow in the middle of I-95 for 12 or more hours (looking at you, Virginia), but flooding on I-5 in Washington is much closer to home.

Here’s the thing. Everyone should have a Go Bag in their car. You may never need it, though you might be happy to pull out a protein bar or bottle of water when you least expect to need it. The point is that this is a small task that might have big consequences.

Photo by Ani Kolleshi on Unsplash

Why now? The fact is that these days, the roadside assistance companies are suffering the same circumstance as others: not enough drivers. Not enough drivers who want to climb under cars stuck on the side of a busy highway with crazy-fast drivers zooming by, or who want to be hooking up a car in a downpour, or who want stressed or coughing passengers in their cab with them. Roadside assistance companies are experiencing the same number of emergencies as before, but with fewer people to respond the wait times are climbing upwards of two hours.

Next time you’re at the store, pick up a couple of protein bars and bottles of water. Put them in one of your spare grocery bags in the trunk. Take a look around your house, find an extra jacket or blanket to add. Maybe a small first aid kit too. This is a pretty minimal effort that won’t take much of your time or trunk space. You know, just in case.

A CHALLENGE!

Do you have a Go Bag in your car? Show us! We’re on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and some of our crew are on NextDoor.