How to Drive in an Earthquake

Driving during an earthquake can be almost impossible since everything around you is moving. It is also unpredictable what may fall from the shaking and where a crack might appear. Extreme caution should be used if you are caught in an earthquake in a car.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• car
• radio
• first-aid kit
• flashlight
• food and water
• matches

1. When you begin to feel the ground shaking, your car will probably seem like it's driving on four flat tires. Slow down gradually.

2. Pull off to the side of the road as soon as you can.

3. Move your car as far out of the normal flow of traffic as possible.

4. Completely stop the car and do not take off your seatbelt.

5. Stay in your car until after the earthquake has subsided.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not park near downed trees, power lines or buildings. An earthquake, or even an aftershock, can bring these in contact with your car causing you harm.
• If you are driving on the freeway, get off as soon as possible. It could collapse right from underneath you.
• There can be numerous aftershocks once the initial earthquake subsides. These can be almost as violent, and definitely as dangerous, as the actual earthquake.
• Watch out for mudslides or rockslides the earthquake may have caused.
• If power lines do land on your car, do not get out of the vehicle. Wait until someone who knows how to handle the lines, comes to remove them.

Resources

• All You Need to Know About Earthquake Safety