Driving during an Earthquake

The strong earthquake that hit Central Visayas last week left me in total shock. I was on my way out of my driveway when the ground shook. I had to rush back to the house and literally pull everybody out to the open. The quake left me with a lot of “ifs”. If I had continued to drive out of the driveway and unto the main road, what would have happened...

You don’t know where you will be when a big shaker hits. Chances are high that you might just be in your car at the time it occurs. Here are a few essential tips on what to do if you get caught by a shaker on the road.

1. Look and Listen. An earthquake while behind the wheel sometimes feels like there is something wrong with your car. It would be better to observe the movements around like other cars, buildings, posts, etc.

2. Stop as quickly as possible but keep your mind totally focused on safety as slamming on the brakes will only lead to an accident. The car offers protection, as little as it may be, should other drivers start to panic and lose control. 

4. Stay in your vehicle until the shaking stops.  As best you can, avoid pulling up or under bridges or overpasses, signs, billboards, electric posts, trees or any other hazards that might fall onto your car. Avoid pulling under building overhangs. Most of the damaged cars I saw after the earthquake were flattened by building overhangs and weak parapets. 

5.  Listen to the the  radio.   The radio is a  good source for updates and most radio stations are prepared to broadcast emergency information. BUT choose your radio stations wisely. You don’t need a commentator telling you that a “Chonamae” is fast approaching when the earthquake happened in-land. Use your mobile phone and call people for updates.

6. Get out of your vehicle once the shaking has stopped and proceed to open spaces. 

Check to see if no one is harmed. Expect some shock or panic so proceeding to open spaces will make reassurance of safety easier. Assessing the situation will be better if you don’t have to worry about a tree, or a post falling on you.

7. Provided that it is safe, proceed home, but drive very cautiously. Remember that it may be safer to stay where you are, especially that the road and traffic conditions are not clearly known. Expect large cracks on the road, unstable structures like overpasses, bridges, electric post. An aftershock might just knock them over. 

8. Keep a first aid kit and an emergency bag with all the essentials inside your car. Pack-in a few clothes, a flashlight with extra batteries, maybe an all-in-one radio/flashlight gadget from one of those downtown stores will be handy. A carry- bottle for water and some prescription meds. 

Staying calm and knowing what to do in situations like these will help increase your chances of survival.