What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down on the Highway

There's nothing quite like that sinking feeling when your car starts making strange noises on a busy highway. Your heart races, traffic zooms past at 65 mph, and suddenly you're facing every driver's nightmare—a breakdown in the worst possible place.

Get Off the Road Immediately (If You Can)

The moment you realize something's wrong, your priority is getting to safety. Don't try to limp along hoping things will improve—they won't. Signal early and move toward the shoulder. If possible, aim for an exit or rest area. But if your car is dying fast, the shoulder is better than the middle lane.

Once stopped, get as far right as physics allows. You want maximum distance between your vehicle and that river of steel flying past. Turn your wheels away from traffic—if someone hits you, your car won't roll into more danger.

Make Yourself Visible

Turn on your hazard lights immediately. Not in five minutes, not after you figure out what's wrong—now. At night or in poor weather, these flashers are the only thing preventing someone from plowing into your stationary vehicle at highway speeds.

If you have flares, reflective triangles, or a safety vest, use them. Place warning devices about 100 feet behind your car if it's safe to do so. But here's the crucial part: if traffic is heavy or visibility is poor, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on. Your life is worth more than your car.

Call for Professional Help

This isn't the time to troubleshoot or call your mechanically-inclined cousin. You're in a dangerous spot, and every minute counts. Contact a professional towing service that can reach you quickly. We respond to highway emergencies across North Hempstead 24/7 because we know that on a busy road, fast response times aren't just convenient—they're critical.

Stay Inside (Usually)

Here's where common sense gets complicated. If you're safely off the road with a barrier between you and traffic, staying in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened is often safest. But if there's smoke, fire, or your car is partially in a travel lane with heavy traffic, you need to get out and move far away from both your vehicle and the roadway.

If you do exit, use the passenger side door when possible and immediately move behind any barrier available. Don't stand next to your car. Don't stand on the shoulder. Get completely clear of the road and stay there until help arrives.

Don't Accept Rides from Strangers

People will stop to help. Most mean well. But here's the reality: you don't know who they are, and getting into a stranger's vehicle creates a new set of risks. Politely decline and show them you're already getting help. Wave your phone to indicate you've made a call. Professional assistance is minutes away—wait for it.