What to do if your car gets stranded on the side of the road in cold weather

(ABC 6 News) – Dangerous cold temperatures can make for bad situations if you don’t prepare properly.

Take your car for instance, if something happens and you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, what can you do?

"Normally when I leave, I bring a hat and gloves. I always have a blanket in the back of my truck just in case if something bad does happen, I can stay warm," Derek Brown, a Rochester resident said.

"When it gets cold like this, it doesn’t take long for you to start to freeze," Greg Schoen, another Rochester resident said.

Schoen is from Southern California and has been in Rochester for 10 years. He’s still trying to get used to the cold Minnesota weather. But if something does ever happen on the road, he’s prepared.

"This is the heated blanket, it’s got a cigarette lighter adapter so I can plug it in and stay a little warmer than anything."

He’s also got a first aid kit and, a jump back so if he needs to jump-start his car, he can.

Pulver Towing in Rochester tells ABC 6 NEWS when they get a call of someone off the road, they help them however they can. Semi-trucks and Law enforcement vehicles though, take the priority.

Mike Dougherty with MNDOT says no matter what, be aware of your car and the road.

"When you talk about traffic safety, it’s just having awareness about your vehicle. Where’s your gas tank at? Is it half full is it full?" Dougherty said. "If you do lose control and leave the road, do not get out of your vehicle, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened, that gives you the greatest protection from anything."

Sgt. Troy Christianson with the Minnesota State Patrol said throughout the state in January, state troopers responded to 642 stalled vehicles.

If you need their help if you get stranded, they will meet you and help arrange assistance.