Putting Together a Roadside Emergency Kit

by P.D. Lesko

Have you ever been in this scenario? It’s 7 a.m.; you’re driving to your first class of the day. You know in an instant that something’s wrong. Controlling the vehicle becomes increasingly difficult and you ease the car to the side of the road. Getting out, you see that the left rear tire is flat.

If you’re lucky enough to be driving a Caddy with OnStar, help is only a phone call away. However, if you’re an average part-timer, you’re either faced with having to hail a passing motorist or missing your classes (and, perhaps, a day’s pay). That is, unless you have a well-stocked emergency roadside kit in the trunk of your car.

When it comes to commuting, a roadside emergency kit can mean the difference between getting back on the road or being stuck for a long period of time. A roadside emergency kit is the one item that every vehicle should have; yet most of us never carry any of the basic items to help you get back on the road quickly and safely. See the chart at right for a list of basic items.

Granted, all these items practically necessitate a Ford Excursion to haul them down the road, but a basic version of a roadside kit will fit into even the most compact of compact cars. This mini-kit includes flares, a quart of oil, small first aid kit, extra fuses, flashlight, Leatherman Tool (or any other multipurpose tool commonly containing pliers, wire cutters, knife, saw, bottle opener, screwdrivers, files and an awl), tire inflator, rags, pocket knife, pen and paper and a help sign.

A few companies offer pre-assembled emergency roadside kits, ranging from RightTrak’s 58-piece Deluxe Auto Safety Kit ($24.00) to the 78-piece Auto First Aid Kit from Home First Aid ($39.95). While these kits contain the basics in a small convenient carrier, you might want to augment yours with a few of the items listed above to suit your needs.

Before you actually use your kit in an emergency situation, take some time to familiarize yourself with the items you’ve collected and how to use them properly. Also remember that the most important item is your own good judgment–stopping to change a tire in the high-speed lane is only an accident waiting to happen.

Unfortunately, there isn’t “one tool for all roadside emergency needs.” But with a little planning and a smidgen of trunk space, an emergency roadside kit can often save the day.