Survival Guide: Driving during an earthquake

Updated: October 14, 2025

Earthquakes are one of those natural disasters that instill fear into people’s minds. Unlike floods (especially in some parts of Makati and Manila), they're totally unpredictable. They could strike anytime – in your deepest sleep, while you're having a scrumptious meal, or even while you're driving.

Growing up, we were taught to duck, roll, and take cover during an earthquake. But what if you're inside a car? What should you do to increase your chances of survival?

Don't panic

Chances are, you won't notice that the ground is shaking when you're driving. However, as the intensity of the earthquake increases, you will feel like your tires are wobbling (or like you have a flat tire). When this happens, don’t give in to panic and make sure that your seat belts are fastened. Your concentration is needed so you can get to the right place, at the right time.

Stay in your car

Your car offers greater mobility than if you were on foot, and if worse comes to worst, it can also serve as protection against falling debris. Once you’ve secured yourself, gradually reduce your speed and assess your surroundings. This will help you plan your next move and position yourself in a safe location.

Drive to an open spot

It is common knowledge that earthquakes can bring down buildings, houses, footbridges, lamp posts, traffic signs, and even trees. With that in mind, carefully drive yourself to an open road or spot to avoid getting crushed or getting hit by other cars.  

In addition, one of the first victims of earthquakes is bridges and flyovers, as these are elevated structures that are at the mercy of their pillars and how they were built. Don't ever take them. More so, move away from these areas, especially if you're under them. If possible, head to an open car park that has no tall buildings, and few trees or lamp posts. This will give you and your car the best possible chance of driving away unscathed.

Park to safety

If you’ve found a spot from the step above, go ahead and park. However, stay alert and observe your surroundings. It will also help if you can turn on your car’s radio and wait for announcements from the local government. Usually, earthquakes come with aftershocks, so it's better to stay in your place until it has been deemed clear.

Situational:

When on a bridge or flyover

As mentioned, it's best to get out of a bridge or a flyover during an earthquake. However, if you find yourself trapped in one, your best chance of survival is to determine where its support pillars are located. Usually, they are the cement breaks on the bridge's rail, and oftentimes, where the lamp posts are situated. 

Drive by these spots as they will serve as your foothold in case the bridge collapses, thus lessening your chance of falling through. If you’re unable to do so with your car, leave your vehicle and stay by the support pillars. Beware, though, intense earthquakes can also bring down the cement pillars, so if you can, try to drive off the bridge as soon as you can.

When in a tunnel

Like bridges, tunnels are the worst places you can be driving by when an earthquake strikes. Getting trapped inside them not only lessens the chances of survival, but victims are also hard to rescue.

In case you run out of luck, carefully drive yourself out of the tunnel. If you're trapped in a traffic jam and the earthquake is pretty intense, leave your vehicle and run out to the nearest exit. 

Here’s the tricky part: if it's a long tunnel, stay inside the car and get a hold of food and water (if available). It's still better to be trapped inside the car than to be crushed while running out to safety. If you have an emergency kit inside the car, it should also be within arms reach.

When the quake ends

Check yourself and passengers for injuries – administer first aid if needed. Watch out for updates from the authorities. If you're in a place near the sea, wait for the tsunami warnings so you'll know if the coast you’re on isn’t safe to stay on anymore.

In addition, don't proceed to drive anywhere yet if possible. However, if you need to do so, check the roads and infrastructure for cracks and damage. Avoid driving through dilapidated streets and fallen power lines, as well as bridges and flyovers. Lastly, take note of the places that are not passable to vehicles.

If you’ve been keeping track of the news, then you probably know that Metro Manila is under threat of the “Big One”. What the Big One is, is the threat of a large-scale earthquake with an estimated magnitude between 6 to 7 and as high as 7.6 that may be triggered by activity from the West Valley Fault System. 

With this knowledge, how do we prepare for major seismic activity, especially in regards to our vehicles? While we can’t mitigate the effects of earthquakes on our vehicles completely, we can at least improve our chances of survival. 

Start by keeping your vehicle well-maintained and fueled, as gas stations and repair shops may not be operational following a major quake. Always maintain at least half a tank of fuel and regularly check essential fluids, tire pressure, and the battery. Choose your parking location carefully—avoid areas under bridges, trees, power lines, or tall buildings that could collapse. If you park in a garage, secure shelves and storage units to prevent heavy items from falling onto your car. 

Inside your vehicle, prepare an earthquake emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, a blanket, a phone charger, gloves, sturdy shoes, a map, basic tools, and safety items such as a whistle and reflective vest. Keep loose items secured so they don’t become dangerous projectiles during shaking. It’s also wise to have a family communication plan and know several alternate routes in case roads are damaged or blocked.

While protecting your car is understandable, your safety during an earthquake is still more valuable than any other investment you worked hard for. It pays to be informed, so take note of these things we mentioned. These could save your life and everyone else you care about.