What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down on the Road

It can happen to anyone: your car suddenly stops running, and you’re stuck on the side of the road—or worse, in the middle of a highway. But what you do next could save your life.

Standing outside a disabled car, especially on a busy road or interstate, can be extremely dangerous. Every year, people are injured or killed while waiting for help after their car breaks down.

In one tragic case, two women in Indiana were checking the damage from a minor crash when a tow truck driver didn’t see them. One woman was killed, and the other was seriously injured. In another case, a woman trying to cross a highway on foot after her car broke down was hit and killed. A similar tragedy occurred in Virginia, where a father and son were struck by a truck after stopping to help another driver.

These are not rare incidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 16 percent of all pedestrian deaths happen on freeways—roads where people are usually not expected to be on foot. The agency doesn’t track how many of those people were stranded drivers, but the risk is clear.

So, what should you do if your car breaks down?

Experts from state police departments and the American Automobile Association (AAA) offer this life-saving advice:

Stay in the car if it’s safe. The first thing to do is to pull off the road as far as possible, ideally onto the shoulder. Turn on your emergency flashers right away to alert other drivers.

If you’re in the middle of the road, such as in a center lane on an interstate, the Georgia State Police recommend staying inside the car, where you have at least some protection. If traffic is light and it’s safe, AAA suggests carefully moving to the side of the road and away from the vehicle.

Never stand directly in front of or behind your car. If another driver crashes into it, you could be hit. If you must exit the vehicle, move quickly and carefully to a safe location far from the road.

Call for help immediately. Use your phone to contact roadside assistance, local law enforcement, or a towing service. Don’t try to fix the car yourself on the highway, especially if you’re near fast-moving traffic.

These rules may seem simple, but they can make the difference between a close call and a fatal accident. Drivers in fast-moving vehicles often can’t see a person standing outside a car until it’s too late.

It’s natural to want to check the damage or look for help. But the safest place is inside your car or well off the road until professionals arrive.