ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Care and the Freeway Call Box

It’s been more than a month since Denise Anette Huber, 23, disappeared from the side of the Corona del Mar Freeway. She apparently left her automobile when it had a flat tire in the early morning hours. Huber’s parents, who live in Newport Beach, have not given up hope of finding her. They have papered the area with flyers bearing her likeness and are offering a $10,000 reward.

This incident prompts the California Highway Patrol to repeat some good advice for people whose cars become disabled on a freeway. Motorists should keep it in mind:

Get your vehicle as far off the road as possible but don’t leave it. Standing or walking on the side of the road increases the chance of your being struck by a sleepy or drunk driver. It also exposes you to acts of mischief--or worse--such as what may have happened to Huber. It is better to wait indefinitely for help from police than to strike out on your own, especially in the dark.

The CHP advises drivers to get their cars as close as possible to a call box--even if it means ruining a wheel rim. Call boxes are every quarter-mile on all freeways in Orange County except those under construction; there are also call boxes at irregular intervals on Ortega Highway and Carbon Canyon Road.

Other advice from the CHP:

--Lock your doors and roll up your windows. Roll down your window only a crack to talk to anyone who stops to offer help. When an officer shows up, ask him to stay with you until other help arrives or have him take you to a safe place to wait.

--Keep a citizens’ band radio, which can be purchased for about $70, in the car. Don’t accept help from strangers who respond to a call for help, however; ask them to get you law enforcement assistance.

--Keep your hazard lights blinking. Put your vehicle’s hood up--it’s a universal signal asking for help. Also, tie a white towel or handkerchief on your aerial or door handle and purchase a sunshade that has a “Help!” sign for the back window.

--Keep your cool.