Roadside Safety

The moments right after a vehicle problem are the most important. Your goal is simple: separate yourself from moving traffic and make yourself visible. Everything else can wait.

• Keep both hands on the wheel and steer smoothly toward the shoulder or another safe area.
• Avoid sudden braking or sharp steering, which can cause a loss of control.
• Once stopped, keep your seatbelt fastened until you are clear of live lanes.

Hazard lights are the clearest signal to other drivers that something is wrong. Turn them on as soon as you notice a problem, and leave them on while you are stopped.

At night or in poor weather, interior lights can also help others see that the vehicle is occupied. Use them sparingly so your battery is not drained further.

Where you wait matters as much as where you stop. Staying inside a vehicle that is safely off the road is usually the safest option, especially on highways.

• Prefer a spot that is well away from live lanes, such as a shoulder, a nearby exit or a parking area.
• If you must leave the vehicle, move to the side away from traffic — never stand between your car and the flow of vehicles.
• On a divided highway, remain on the side that keeps you furthest from passing traffic.

Help arrives faster when the provider knows exactly where you are. Share your precise location from your phone when the request asks for it, and add a human description to make it unmistakable.

• Name the highway or road and the direction you were travelling.
• Mention the nearest exit, overpass, landmark or business.
• If you are on a minor road, give the nearest cross-street.

If the vehicle loses power or stops responding, use your remaining momentum to reach safety, then turn on your hazards. Many breakdowns, such as a flat battery or a flat tire, may be handled on the spot, while others may need a tow.

Our breakdown guide walks through staying safe, describing your location and choosing between roadside help and towing.

A sudden deflation can pull the vehicle to one side. Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking. Only attempt a tire change if you are safely off the road, have the correct tools and conditions allow it.

After a collision, check for injuries first. If the vehicles can be moved safely out of traffic, do so; if not, get yourself and others clear of moving lanes and call for help.

Exchange information carefully, document the scene only when it is safe, and follow any direction from emergency services about how the scene is handled.

Some situations are emergencies and must be handled by emergency services, not a roadside provider. If you are unsure whether a situation is an emergency, treat it as one.

• Any injury, or the possibility of one.
• Fire, smoke, a fuel leak or another hazardous spill.
• A vehicle in the path of traffic that cannot be moved safely.
• A person trapped, or a child or pet in danger.

Once your request is submitted you can usually track its progress and see an arrival estimate. While you wait, stay in a safe position and keep your hazards on.

When the provider arrives, follow their instructions. They are trained to work safely around traffic and to load vehicles correctly, and the safest place for you during service is clear of both the vehicle and the traffic lanes.