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What do you do when you find yourself standing outside your car, staring through the window at your keys sitting in the driver's seat? It's a situation that can happen to even the most careful of drivers, as it only takes one moment of absentmindedness to forget the keys and shut the doors.

So what now?

First and foremost, remain calm and composed. Panicking will cloud your thinking and make the situation more stressful. Take a deep breath, accept that it happened, don't cast blame on yourself or others, and evaluate the situation.

Situation 1 - Nearby Help is Available

• When you have a phone available: If you have a smartphone on you or you rode with passengers who have smartphones, it's time to make a call! If you're part of a motor club, you can make use of your membership and call for assistance. Most motor clubs include car lockout assistance as part of their packages. If you're not a member of a motor club, see if there is a car locksmith nearby that you can call to help you regain entry into your vehicle. Remember that you may need to switch to cellular from Wi-Fi if you aren't in an area with Wi-Fi to search online.


• When you don't have a phone available: Visit a nearby establishment and ask to make a call.

Situation 2 - Nearby Help is Not Available

1. Take a moment to carefully observe your surroundings. Look for any signs of human activity, such as nearby buildings, houses, or even cars passing by. It's possible that help might be closer than you think. If you know there is a town up ahead and you're not in an area with much traffic, you might need to walk to it.

2. Flag down assistance: If you see any vehicles passing by, try signaling for help by waving your arms or any bright-colored items you have with you. Sometimes, good Samaritans are willing to lend a hand in such situations. Remember to use caution.

Being locked out of your vehicle can be a frustrating experience, but it's important to stay calm, assess your options, and take the appropriate action. Soon, you'll find yourself back on the road with a cautionary tale to tell. 

And don't forget to read these tips to avoid locking yourself out of your vehicle, so you don't make this a repeat situation.

Finally, should you find yourself locked out of your vehicle in Rapid City, South Dakota, you can contact Rapid Towing. We are a preferred motor club provider and ready to respond when you need roadside assistance for car lockouts in Rapid City, SD and surrounding areas.