Taiwan was tragically struck by an enormous 7.4 magnitude earthquake Wednesday morning and upon seeing movies within the information, I abruptly realized that I don’t know what to do if an earthquake hits whereas I’m driving. I’ve grown up within the Los Angeles space my complete life, and we had earthquake drills at school that taught us to duck and canopy beneath a sturdy floor, however no point out was made about the right way to react when you’re behind the wheel.

Within the occasion that you’re driving when an earthquake hits, the U.S. Geological Survey says to maneuver out of the way in which of visitors and cease your automotive away from any overpasses, gentle posts, or bushes, and when you’re on a bridge, don’t cease on the bridge.

AAA presents a extra in-depth set of pointers for the right way to deal with an earthquake from behind the wheel, and the right way to proceed as soon as the shaking stops:

1. Make your solution to the facet of the street and set the parking brake

Keep away from stopping beneath overpasses or energy strains, on bridges, or close to indicators and different hazards that would fall in your car. Keep contained in the car till the shaking stops. In the event you can proceed driving, proceed fastidiously as a result of chances are you’ll encounter fallen particles and cracked or shifted pavement. Look ahead to emergency autos, and, as regular, pull over to allow them to by way of.

2. If an influence line falls on or close to your automotive, don’t get out

Additionally, don’t contact steel objects inside, akin to your seat belt buckle, the steering wheel, or the door deal with, which might lead to electrocution. As a substitute, keep put, name 911, then place your palms in your lap. “Keep inside till a educated individual arrives to take away the wire,” Burdick says. Rescue personnel could also be delayed in a significant catastrophe.

3. In the event you’re driving on a coastal street, tune in to a neighborhood radio station and head inland

Listening to a neighborhood radio station will preserve you apprised of tsunami warnings and evacuation routes. Remember that a tsunami can journey inland so far as 10 miles. An earthquake brought on by the San Andreas fault is unlikely to lead to a tsunami as a result of it’s so removed from the coast, however an earthquake created by an oceanic fault might set off a large wave. A map of tsunami zones is out there right here.

4. Gasoline up

If energy is out, gasoline stations will likely be unable to dispense gas, so all the time preserve your tank not less than 1 / 4 full.

5. Put together an earthquake-survival equipment for every of your autos

Prepared America and Quake Kare promote preassembled kits and supply reductions to AAA members. These are some objects to incorporate.

Bottled water, class ABC extinguishers (outfitted to place out electrical, grease, and gasoline fires), first assist equipment and guide, emergency-signal gadgets (whistle, gentle sticks, battery-type flasher, reflector, mirror, and so forth.), reflective triangles to make your car extra seen, flashlight with contemporary batteries, or a hand-crank flashlight, thick work gloves, a compass, jumper cables, duct tape, sneakers, software equipment or a multipurpose utility software, rope for towing, rescue, and so forth., and paper maps (since you may not have cell service). Quite a lot of metropolis and regional maps can be found free of charge at your native AAA department.

So long as you aren’t touring on or beneath a bridge throughout an earthquake, the most secure factor to do is to slowly cease your automotive in a comparatively open area out of the way in which of visitors and wait out the quake.

There are not any pointers that particularly handle what to do if an earthquake strikes when you’re driving on or beneath a bridge or overpass, apart from the AAA guideline that claims, “don’t cease on a bridge or overpass except it’s protected to take action.” Which…who is aware of what which may imply Among the largest hazards throughout earthquakes are objects falling, together with bushes, buildings, and damaged glass, so the most secure place to be throughout an earthquake would seemingly be an open area with no bushes or buildings that would fall.

Realistically although, earthquakes strike with no warning. When one occurs, react to your instant scenario within the most secure method attainable. For extra info on how to reply to an earthquake, check with the CDC’s pointers right here.