Blog

A highway breakdown is one of the most stressful situations a driver can face. Traffic roaring past at 70+ mph, limited shoulder space, and the clock ticking—it's easy to panic. But staying calm and following the right steps can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a serious accident. Here's exactly what to do.

1. Don't brake suddenly—coast to the shoulder

If your car starts losing power or you hear a loud pop (blowout), grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and signal to merge right. Do not brake hard. Let the vehicle decelerate gradually and steer to the right shoulder or, if possible, an exit ramp. Get as far off the travel lanes as you can.

2. Turn on your hazard lights immediately

The moment you realize something is wrong—even before you fully stop—turn on your hazard lights. This alerts drivers behind you that you're decelerating or stopped. Hazards are the single most effective thing you can do to prevent a rear-end collision.

3. Get out of the car—away from traffic

If you're on a busy highway and can safely exit the vehicle, get out and stand behind the guardrail or well away from traffic. Studies show that stationary vehicles on highway shoulders are disproportionately struck by inattentive drivers. Do not sit in your car on a narrow shoulder.

4. Set up warning triangles or flares

If you have road flares or reflective triangles in your trunk, place them 100–300 feet behind your vehicle. This gives approaching drivers early warning—especially critical at night or in bad weather. Every driver should keep a basic safety kit in their car at all times.

5. Call for help

Call a trusted towing company like SafeTow or dial 911 if you're in immediate danger. When you call SafeTow at 1(469) 648-0524, our dispatcher will ask for your location (or get it from your phone's GPS), tell you the ETA, and stay on the line with you until help arrives. Do not accept help from unknown individuals who pull over uninvited—unfortunately, highway breakdown scams exist.

6. Stay visible but stay safe

Keep your phone charged so you can communicate with dispatch. If it's nighttime, turn on the interior dome light so you're visible. If it's raining or extremely cold, it may be safer to stay inside with your seatbelt on and hazards flashing—use your judgment based on the shoulder width and traffic volume.

What NOT to do

• Don't try to change a tire on a narrow highway shoulder in moving traffic—it's not worth the risk.
• Don't leave your car in a travel lane—always get to the shoulder.
• Don't accept a tow from an unlicensed driver who approaches you uninvited.
• Don't leave engine fluids burning or smoking unattended—call 911 if there's fire risk.