Breaking Down on the Highway

A vehicle stopped on a highway shoulder is a target. Drivers who are distracted, drowsy or impaired drift onto shoulders and hit stopped cars and the people standing next to them. The safest breakdown is one you get as far from traffic as possible.

• All drivers
• Work vehicles

As soon as something goes wrong

1. Turn on your hazard lights.
2. Signal and ease off the road as far to the right as you can. If the car still runs, try to reach an exit, a parking lot or a wide shoulder.
3. Avoid stopping on curves, hills, bridges or in a lane if at all possible.
4. Turn the wheels away from the road and set the parking brake.

Stay in or get out?

• If you’re well off the road and it’s safe, get out on the side away from traffic and stand far from the road, behind a guardrail or up an embankment.
• If you can’t get away from traffic (no shoulder, a bridge, a barrier), it may be safer to stay in the car with your seat belt on while you call for help.
• Never stand between your car and traffic, or behind or in front of your car.

Warn other drivers

• Keep hazard lights on; at night, leave interior lights on too.
• If it’s safe to walk behind the car, place warning triangles or flares well back from the vehicle (farther on hills and curves).
• Raise the hood or tie a bright cloth to the antenna or door handle to signal you need help.
• Wear a hi-vis vest if you have one.

Get help

• Call roadside assistance, your employer or a tow company. On highways, many states have a number (such as *55 or *77 on some highways) or a highway assistance patrol. Call 911 if you’re in a dangerous spot or anyone is hurt.
• Know your location: highway number, direction, nearest exit or mile marker.
• Be cautious about accepting rides from strangers; wait for police or a known service.

Don’t try repairs on a busy highway

Changing a tire on the traffic side of a busy road is extremely dangerous. If the flat is on the traffic side, call for help or drive slowly to a safer spot (driving on a flat may ruin the wheel, but a wheel is replaceable). See Changing a Flat Tire.

Be ready

Keep your phone charged, your gas tank from running low, and an emergency kit in the car. See Car Emergency Kit.

Last updated: October 1, 2026