What number should I call if my car breaks down?
3 Answers
If your car breaks down, you should call 122. The 122 alarm service desk is a department established by domestic public security traffic management authorities to handle public traffic accident reports. It is responsible for directing and dispatching police officers to deal with various alarms, assistance requests, as well as accepting public reports, complaints, and inquiries regarding traffic management and traffic police law enforcement issues. This department is a major component of the public security traffic management command center and operates 24/7. The public can dial 122 free of charge to connect to the service. The services provided by the 122 alarm service desk include: on-site investigation, rescue, and mediation; forwarding matters to relevant departments for handling; and guiding the caller to appeal to relevant departments or handle the issue independently.
Last month, while driving back to my hometown, my car suddenly broke down on the national highway and couldn't move. It was getting dark, my heart was racing, so I quickly steadied the steering wheel and pulled over to the side, turning on the hazard lights to alert the cars behind me. Then I immediately called the traffic police emergency number 122. The operator was very patient and asked for my location and license plate number. Within ten minutes, a tow truck arrived. They also advised me to save the roadside assistance hotline of my insurance company. For example, the car insurance I bought has a dedicated number 400-XXXX-XXXX, which offers free towing services several times a year. After this incident, I learned to check my vehicle regularly and save emergency phone numbers in my phone's memo. This way, I won't panic when encountering a breakdown, as safety always comes first.
With over 20 years of driving experience, I've encountered numerous breakdowns ranging from flat tires to dead batteries. The key is to immediately find a safe spot to pull over, then activate the hazard lights and emergency flashers. Nowadays, I most frequently call my insurance company's roadside assistance—they handle things efficiently, and the service is covered by my policy, which is hassle-free. For highway breakdowns, dial 12122—they respond incredibly fast. I also keep in touch with mutual aid hotlines in car enthusiast groups where we help each other out. Remember never to stop in fast lanes, and always keep an emergency kit prepared with a list of important contact numbers.
