Car rescue in Ho Chi Minh City: How to escape the life-risking gamble?

Sudden vehicle malfunctions on the road can escalate from minor inconveniences to life-threatening situations if drivers react improperly. The critical moments following a breakdown often determine whether a vehicle becomes a hazard or remains manageable.

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Panic is the quickest way to kill a driver before a tow truck can even arrive.

According to Lê Tuấn Hùng, a 31-year-old car repair shop owner in Ho Chi Minh City with nearly eight years of experience handling roadside emergencies, panic is the quickest way to endanger oneself. He notes that common initial reactions, like slamming on the brakes or swerving erratically, are fatal mistakes. The first crucial step, Hùng advises, is to remain calm and immediately activate the hazard lights. This alerts other drivers, especially in low visibility conditions like nighttime or heavy rain.

If the vehicle still has momentum, drivers should gently apply the brakes and gradually maneuver towards the emergency lane or the road shoulder. Hùng stresses that these movements must be decisive but not abrupt to avoid losing control or endangering other traffic. If possible, reaching a designated emergency stopping area or technical stop point offers maximum safety. Even if the vehicle cannot continue running, using residual momentum to pull over to the right side of the road is vital. Braking suddenly in a traffic lane can create an unexpected obstruction.

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The first thing a driver needs to do when a vehicle breaks down is stay calm, then immediately press the hazard warning light button.

Hùng warns that the real danger often begins after the vehicle has stopped. He describes the perilous habit of drivers exiting their vehicles to inspect the engine or argue about the problem, oblivious to oncoming high-speed traffic. He calls the first five minutes after stopping the "golden time" for safety. Improper positioning on the road, he explains, is a frequent cause of severe secondary accidents where vehicles are destroyed and people are killed, not because of the initial breakdown, but due to the driver's unsafe actions.

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Many secondary accidents occur, resulting in deaths and wrecked vehicles, not because the initial vehicle broke down, but because the person stood in the wrong place.