How to survive an earthquake for motorists

Are you ready for the “Big One”? Last July 30, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted a metro-wide drill (dubbed “MMShakedrill”) to practice people in case a 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes.  “Drop-cover-hold” was the primary guideline for people to protect themselves during an earthquake. But how do we keep safe if we’re driving or riding a car when an earthquake occurs?

If you’ve seen too many action movies, you might think the best way for a motorist to survive an earthquake is to drive fast while weaving through debris and cracks on the road, and trying to avoid falling objects. However, this is the exact opposite of what you should do.

“Stop,” is the first tip of MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino to vehicle drivers. 

With inputs from various sources , here are some earthquake safety guidelines for motorists:

1. Slow down. Decrease driving speed. While doing so, drive out of traffic and move to the direction of a clear area.  

2. Stop. Pull to the side of the road, preferably the clearest area you can find.    Do not park in areas near trees, power lines, utility wires, signs or billboards, or buildings. Also avoid parking on or under overpasses or bridges. If you’re in a mountainous area, avoid parking near areas that may experience landslides. If you’re near a bay or body of water, drive away from it since earthquakes potentially lead to tsunamis.

3. Stay on or get off. Whether to stay on or get-off the vehicle requires a judgment call based on the circumstances. MMDA Chairman Tolentino says “get off the vehicle and go near open areas. Allow emergency vehicles to pass.”  However, most sources advice that drivers and passengers should stay inside the vehicle and keep their seatbelts fastened. According to the Atomic Molecular and Optical Sciences (AMOS) Research Group, “a car is an excellent shock absorber and will shake a lot on its springs during an earthquake, but it’s a fairly safe shelter from which to assess your situation.” Get off the car only when staying inside poses an immediate danger (such as when the car cannot be moved to a clear area).

4. Listen to the radio, if available. Use the car radio (if you stayed inside the vehicle) or a portable radio to get news updates or warnings, or to receive instructions from government agencies. 

5. Avoid using your phone. This may seem counterintuitive but mobile connections tend to get congested or jammed when disasters strike. Consider others who might need to communicate urgently. Use your phone only when necessary to report an emergency.

6. Wait it out. Wait for the shaking to stop. Once the earthquake is over, check yourself and other passengers in the car (if any) for injuries. Resume driving only when it is safe to do so. Proceed with caution by driving slowly and watching out for cracks, breaks or obstructions on the road. Avoid bridges or ramps as much as possible as these types of structures (if damaged during an earthquake) can be more risky for drivers. 

While some people may think that the likelihood of an earthquake is minimal, it pays to be prepared. As novelist Stephen King said, “there’s no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’re prepared for the worst.”

BMW takes on mission impossible

While it’s not safe to drive in earthquakes and other extreme conditions, we can enjoy watching other people do it in the safety of our seats or couches. Tom Cruise does this with a BMW M3 at the new installment of Mission Impossible. To bring this “safe excitement” to motorists, BMW Philippines held an exclusive screening of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation in BGC Cinema last July 31. Display units of the BMW 3 Series Anniversary Edition were on display in Bonifacio High Street. BMW in Mission Impossible shows how a good car and a skilled driver can bring a lot of exciting action. Just a note to motorists out there—don’t try those stunts at home!

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Karen Jimeno is a junior partner at Jimeno Cope & David Law Firm and a law professor. She hosts LegalHD on CNN Philippines every Tuesday at 9:30PM. She graduated from UP Law School and Harvard Law School, and is licensed to practice law in the Philippines and in New York.