Yahoo Autos What To Do If An Earthquake Hits While You're Driving
Update: Friday, April 5, 11:40 a.m. EST: So, uh, we don’t think this article had anything to do with the earthquake that just struck northernNew Jersey, about 50 miles west of Manhattan, New York. Regardless, you’re welcome for telling you all the proper way to drive through the magnitude 4.7 quake. I personally cannot think of a single better way to kick off the solar eclipse weekend than with a sizable earthquake in a place that almost never gets them.
Taiwan was tragically struck by a huge 7.4 magnitude earthquake Wednesday morning and upon seeing videos in the news, I suddenly realized that I don’t know what to do if an earthquake hits while I’m driving. I’ve grown up in the Los Angeles area my whole life, and we had earthquake drills in school that taught us to duck and cover under a sturdy surface, but no mention was made about how to react if you’re behind the wheel.
In the event that you are driving when an earthquake hits, the U.S. Geological Survey says to move out of the way of traffic and stop your car away from any overpasses, light posts, or trees, and if you’re on a bridge, do not stop on the bridge.
AAA offers a more in-depth set of guidelines for how to handle an earthquake from behind the wheel, and how to proceed once the shaking stops:
Avoid stopping under overpasses or power lines, on bridges, or near signs and other hazards that could fall on your vehicle. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops. If you can continue driving, proceed carefully because you may encounter fallen debris and cracked or shifted pavement. Watch for emergency vehicles, and, as usual, pull over to let them through.
Also, do not touch metal items inside, such as your seat belt buckle, the steering wheel, or the door handle, which could result in electrocution. Instead, stay put, call 911, then place your hands on your lap. “Stay inside until a trained person arrives to remove the wire,” Burdick says. Rescue personnel may be delayed in a major disaster.
Listening to a local radio station will keep you apprised of tsunami warnings and evacuation routes. Keep in mind that a tsunami can travel inland as far as 10 miles. An earthquake caused by the San Andreas fault is unlikely to result in a tsunami because it is so far from the coast, but an earthquake created by an oceanic fault could trigger a massive wave. A map of tsunami zones is available here.
If power is out, gas stations will be unable to dispense fuel, so always keep your tank at least a quarter full.
Ready America and Quake Kare sell preassembled kits and offer discounts to AAA members. These are some items to include.
Bottled water, class ABC extinguishers (equipped to put out electrical, grease, and gas fires), first aid kit and manual, emergency-signal devices (whistle, light sticks, battery-type flasher, reflector, mirror, etc.), reflective triangles to make your vehicle more visible, flashlight with fresh batteries, or a hand-crank flashlight, thick work gloves, a compass, jumper cables, duct tape, sneakers, tool kit or a multipurpose utility tool, rope for towing, rescue, etc., and paper maps (because you might not have cell service). A variety of city and regional maps are available for free at your local AAA branch.
