Running out of fuel is an inconvenience. Walking along an interstate to fix it is a genuine hazard. Pedestrians on highways are struck regularly, and Atlanta's shoulders, ramps and overpasses give drivers very little time to see someone on foot.
While the car is still moving
- As soon as it starts to sputter, signal and move right.
- Use the remaining momentum to reach a shoulder, ramp or exit — coasting downhill can buy real distance.
- Avoid stopping on a curve or just over a hill.
Once you're stopped
- Hazard lights on immediately.
- Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on if traffic is passing close.
- Note the highway, your direction of travel and the nearest exit or mile marker.
- Call for fuel delivery rather than walking to a station.
Why the gauge lied
Fuel gauges are not linear, and the low-fuel light is an estimate based on driving conditions the car has already seen. Stop-and-go traffic on I-285 burns reserve faster than the highway average the computer used. If you're in traffic with the light on, take the next exit with a station rather than the one you were planning on.
FCRA delivers fuel roadside in the Atlanta area, 24 hours a day. Call (888) 780-0383.
Fuel Delivery in Atlanta
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