When an earthquake arrives, you could be anywhere, and if you live in a region where the risk of earthquakes is very high, there is a possibility that you may be in your car at the time of the earthquake. With this article you will learn what to do if an earthquake occurs while you are in your car.
Steps
Step 1. Recognize that you are in an earthquake situation
An earthquake while driving can be perceived as a malfunction in your car - use your senses. Look around. You will feel the earth move and shake, and you will see the formation of openings in the ground.
Step 2. Pull over
Do it as quickly as possible but always with caution. You won't be the only one on the road, so watch out for traffic and other people behind the wheel - someone might have a panic attack.
- If possible, avoid pulling over under bridges, underpasses, signs, tall buildings, power lines, trees, or anything else that can fall into your car. Do not stand near buildings. Cars are not very resistant to falling heavy objects.
- If you are in a multi-level parking lot, get out of the car and crouch to the side of the car to use it for protection - do not take cover under the car as it will cushion the impact of any falling debris, such as concrete.
Step 3. Turn off the engine and set the handbrake
Step 4. Turn on the radio and listen for updates, warnings and advice
Keep calm.
Step 5. Wait in the vehicle until the shock is over
Step 6. Then get out of the vehicle
Read the "warnings" below to find out what to do if a power line falls on your car. If you have emergency supplies in the car, find them. Useful things to keep in the car can be found in the list of "things you will need" below. Evaluate the damage to your car and in the immediate vicinity to see if it is prudent to proceed.
- Check that the passengers are okay. Someone may be in shock or panic. Try to be reassuring.
- Rescue any injuries using the first aid kit.
- Firefighters and other emergency services will already be busy solving problems. Work with those close to you. Do not call 112 to avoid unnecessarily blocking the telephone lines.
Step 7. Go home or go to a safe place
Drive carefully. But make sure it's the right thing to do. Remember that it may be safer to stay where you are, especially if there is chaos on the streets. Use your cell phone to warn your loved ones that you are okay, but remember that signal boosters may also have been damaged. Listen to the local radio station for updates.
- Don't drive through flooded streets
- Do not drive over large openings in the road surface. You may get trapped.
- Do not drive under bridges that have visible damage to the structure. Even if there is no visible damage, beware of protruding objects, signs, overpasses, walls.
- Beware of landslides and landslides
- If you are on a coastal road or in a tsunami-prone area, drive to higher areas as quickly as possible.
Step 8. Expect aftershocks
The strongest shock is often followed by small aftershocks that can create further damage to already damaged structures or cause them to collapse.
Advice
- Knowing the basics of first aid is important, especially if you live in high-risk areas.
- If you have access to the internet from your mobile phone, check the traffic cameras to see the conditions of the roads in your area, but remember that the internet may also not work and the cameras may have run out of power.
- The car alarm may be activated following the shocks.
- Rely on radio updates.
Warnings
- If a power line falls on your car, stay inside. A trained operator will remove the pole and there is less chance of you getting electrocuted. Likewise, do not touch or enter vehicles on which electric poles have fallen.
- When the power goes out, cell phones have a few hours of battery life left. Make short calls to relatives and friends and to establish a meeting place.
