Whether it’s an overheated engine, a flat tire, or simply running out of gas, being behind the wheel when your car comes to a surprising stop can be a frightening experience. This scenario becomes even scarier when it happens while crossing a bridge. While we all know to slowly attempt to pull our vehicle to the side of the road using our signals, here is what you should do once you reach safety.
Bridges in Florida
The Sunshine State boasts the eighth longest bridge in the country, the Seven Mile Bridge, which connects the state to a number of its island keys. While that may be Florida’s most famous bridge, even popularized in the movie True Lies, Florida has many more, and ranks 24th in the nation when it comes to its number of bridges. Here’s a look at the ten longest Florida bridges:
| Bridge | Location Span | Length (feet) | Year Built |
| Seven Mile Bridge | Monkey Key Channel | 35,716 | 1938 |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | Tampa Bay | 21,640 | 1987 |
| St. George Island Bridge | Apalachicola Bay | 21,615 | 2004 |
| Mid-Bay Bridge | Choctawhatchee Bay | 19.008 | 1993 |
| Buckman Bridge | St. Johns River | 16,300 | 1969 |
| Howard Frankland Bridge | Tampa Bay | 15,893 | 1989 (new span) |
| Pensacola Bay Bridge | Pensacola Bay | 15,640 | 1960 |
| Gandy Bridge | Tampa Bay | 13,886 | 1997 (new span) |
| Escambia Bridge | Escambia Bay | 13,577 | 1970 |
| Napolean Bonaparte Bridge | St. Johns River | 10,646 | 1989 |
4 Things to Do if Your Vehicle Breaks Down
1. Make Yourself Visible
Most drivers are able to pull safely to the side of the road on a bridge, even if coasting on fumes or a flat. But, it’s important to make yourself seen, especially with the number of distracted drivers on the road. Putting on your hazard lights is a must, and if you have an orange distress flag on hand, it’s helpful to put that out of your window. The color and waving motion will get the attention of other drivers and avoid an accidental read-end collision. No distress flag? Use something as simple as a napkin or even your T-shirt.
2. Remain in Your Vehicle
Unless there is a lot of room on the side of the bridge, it’s best to stay in your vehicle (and remain buckled up). People exiting their vehicle on a bridge in order to look under the hood or change a flat tire have been known to be struck by passing cars, and there are numerous stories of just such an incident happening.
3. Call for Help
Thankfully, we all have cell phones these days. In the event of a breakdown, call for roadside assistance or the highway patrol right away. They will be there quicker than you may think! In the event that you don’t have your phone handy, you may be able to locate an emergency call box nearby that will direct you to assistance.
4. Be Careful With Strangers
We want to think the best of people, but someone in jeopardy can become the perfect candidate for a criminal’s bad intentions. If another driver stops and offers to help—especially if there is little traffic and it’s nighttime—simply crack the window and say that you’ve called for help (and if you don’t have your phone, ask them to call for you).
Breakdowns, blowouts, and empty gas tanks can catch us off-guard and leaving us unsure of what to do next. By following these simple steps, you can be sure your breakdown doesn’t leave you broken! If you’ve been in an automobile or motorcycle accident following a breakdown and need support, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Lowman Law Firm.