Car Care Tips for Handling an Earthquake

The earthquake that originated from Virginia on August 23 sent tremors across the East coast, reaching as far north as Toronto, Canada, and as far south as the Carolinas. If drivers find themselves on the road when seismic activity strikes, it's helpful to have some car care tips on hand to stay as safe as possible.

Once an earthquake begins, lower your speed slowly. Find your way to the shoulder of the road as soon as you can. Don't stop your car on or underneath a bridge. If possible, avoid stopping near anything that could fall on top of your vehicle, such as buildings, trees and electrical poles.

While it may be tempting to get out and assess the situation, don't leave the vehicle until the tremors stop and keep your seat belt in place. Keep the car radio on so you can hear any updates from the authorities. Don't start driving again until you hear an announcement that it is safe to do so. Aftershocks could follow the initial earthquake.

Back to Car Care and Maintenance