Spinout Safety: What you should do after a spinout occurs

Spinouts happen frequently on Highway 17 and are essentially a given after a day of rainfall, but what should you do after a spin out if you’re the one who was driving?

CHP Santa Cruz says ultimately the first two things you should do is stay calm and try to dial 9-1-1.

If you’re able to drive your car, move it to the nearest turnout. If not, your best bet–and most frighteningly enough–is to stay in your car with your seat belt on.

This is especially crucial if there’s nowhere to stand nearby which can provide a barrier between you and the highway.

“What we don’t want to see is you’re upset you’ve been in an accident and you jump out of the vehicle,” said CHP Officer Sam Courtney. “That would place yourself in harm’s way.”

CHP says anyone who leaves their vehicle following a car accident along a highway should be mindful then even in turnouts or what is perceived as “safe” areas, you can get hit.

Victims of car accidents should pay attention to traffic and stand in a position where there’s some form of physical barrier between the driver/passengers and the traffic.

“When it rains, especially when driving through the mountains, there’s always that one person that doesn’t listen to warnings to slow down,” said Officer Courtney.

CHP says slowing down on Highway 17 is especially important, even if it means going below the posted speed limit.

“You have to maintain a good following distance,” said Officer Courtney. “One that allows you to come arond a corner and make a complete stop if you see an accident.”