LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) — Safety experts say the worst thing you can do if you crash your car, especially in a big chain reaction pile-up is to get out of your vehicle.
Dept. of Transportation officials learned that lesson the hard way this holiday season after two people were killed in separate crashes on I-696, after they got out of their cars.
Now they are issuing a stern warning saying it’s the responsibility of the driver to stay strapped in, and stay put until help arrives.
M-DOT’s Diane Cross says unless your vehicle is upside down or on fire or an officer tells you to get out, do not leave the relative safety of the car.
She says use a cell phone to call for help, and stay there until it arrives.
Your car has air-bags and steel reinforced beams and a heater. If you have prepared, it also has blankets, energy bars and water. Your winter coat does not.
