How To Survive An Earthquake While In A Car

Published: Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 18:57 [IST]

Natural calamities such as earthquakes and storms can be very disturbing experiences. Not only do they cause huge damage to property but also lead to loss of lives. Many people have lost their lives while they are driving during an earthquake.

Although the possibilities of an earthquake in certain areas is very low, people need to know how to handle such situations. The current lifestyle of people means many spend more time driving than they usually did a few decades ago. Hence the possibility of some one being inside a car while an earthquake strikes is higher now.

So how would you protect yourself if an earthquake happens while you are driving a car? Here are some driving tips that will help you:

The moment you feel there is an earthquake, do not panic. Reduce your vehicle’s speed and try to get of the road.
Watch out for how other people are driving as even if you do not panic, others might. So keep a safe distance from other vehicles when driving.
Do not park your vehicle next to anything tall such as a building, an electric pole or a tree. Do not park your vehicle under over bridges and heavy power lines too.
Turn the engine off and pull the hand brake up. Listen to the radio to keep yourself updated.
Do not move out of the vehicle until the ground stops shaking.
Get out of the car and check if the car has suffered any damage. If you have co passengers ensure they are not panicking. Calm them down and then check if any of them have suffered injuries. Always carry a first aid kit in the car and keep in a place where you can access it easily.
Try to contact emergency services if there is a serious need. It is possible that you might not be able to get the connection if the lines are broken. There is also another possibility that you might not get the connection due to the high number of calls.
Start driving after confirming the surroundings are safe. Drive home or to any other location that you feel is safe. Avoid driving on narrow lanes as aftershocks of an earthquake can be equally devastating.
Do not try to drive over flowing water, large cracks on roads or under bridges. If you are living in a coastal area, try to avoid the sea side as there is a possibility of a tsunami. Try to reach higher ground as soon as possible.

Article Published On: Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 17:08 [IST]

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