If Your Gonna Run Out of Gas - Ya Better Do It On One of Houston's Big Interstates

Yesterday, one of my worst fears occurred....I ran out of gas. I have actually never run out of gas.....but Ryan has experienced it a couple of times :). I should have learned from his experiences, but I guess I needed my own experience to set me in the straight and narrow way of making sure that the gas tank has plenty of gas - at all times.
It occurred downtown on 59 south. I was fooled by the gas gauge that showed the lever was just above the orange box of emptiness.
So, I was driving along and suddenly the gas stopped working & I began to coast. I saw an exit and almost took it, but had an impression to stop in the emergency lane adjacent to the exit. I admit that I became shaken up and a bit frantic b/c I didn't have the cell phone to call for help and as I looked behind me at the oncoming traffic my mind began to imagine them smashing into me. [Here's an ironic side note: I had told Ryan to take the cell phone & that if I needed to call him that I would find a phone - yea, I'll not make that mistake again]
I'm a bit dramatic, I know, but it was really very scary. So I said a prayer and began to calm down and analyze my situation as to what I should do. I had decided that I should get out and trek it up the inclined exit to Tuam street. I didn't dare get out of the driver's side door for fear of getting smashed by a driver that wasn't paying attention to their surroundings, so I maneuvered to climb over to the passengers side. Right as I was about to open up the door a man came walking up. AAAAAAAAhhhh I was so relieved.
His name is Lyle and he's a tow truck driver that works with Houston's Safe Clear program. He explained to me that they have camera's all around the busy interstate and when a troubled vehicle is spotted, they immediately send a message to the tow truck drivers to get to the scene. He said that they are suppose to get their within 6 minutes.
He hooked my car up and towed me to the nearest gas station. I admit it was pretty cool to ride in a tow truck.

Here's a bit of useful info for ya that I never knew...

1. Never leave your car to get help b/c your car will get towed and you will have to pay over $100 buckaroos to get it out of the broken down car lot.

2. Always make it to an emergency lane b/c the tow trucks are not suppose to charge for towing you to safety (this is only true if you are in an emergency lane)

I'm not sure that the above is true for all towing situations, but I do know that it's true for when your in Houston and stranded on a busy interstate.

So, I hope that you all can learn by my example and make certain that you always have enough gas in your vehicles :)