What to do if your car breaks down on the road
Where to stop, whether to stay inside or get out, how to be seen, and why walking for help is usually the worst decision.
Breaking down on the road is rarely dangerous in itself. What is dangerous is what people do next: stepping out onto a highway shoulder, walking into traffic to place triangles, or setting off toward an exit that is much farther than it looked.
Where to stop
If you feel a failure and still have control, get to the right shoulder as soon as possible and look for the widest point with the best sightlines. Avoid curves, crests and tunnel exits: those are where another driver sees you late.
Put the hazard lights on before you come to a full stop and turn the wheels away from the roadway.
Inside or outside
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Highway, at night or in bad weather | Stay inside, belted |
| Vehicle in a travel lane | Get out on the side away from traffic |
| Fire risk or smoke | Get out and move away immediately |
| Flood-prone area | Get out and head for higher ground |
| Secondary road, daytime, good visibility | Outside, behind the guardrail |
Making yourself visible
- Hazard lights on from the first moment.
- Beacon or triangles, depending on what your local rules require.
- Reflective vest on before opening the door.
- At night, the interior light on helps you be seen.
- In snow, tie something brightly coloured to the antenna or mirror.
Calling for help
Call emergency services or your roadside assistance and give your location as precisely as you can: road, direction, mile marker or a visible landmark. If your phone has GPS, share your exact position.
After that, save battery: dim the screen, close apps, and do not use it for entertainment while you wait.
- What to do if you are trapped in your car by snow or water Two opposite situations with opposite rules: in snow you wait inside, in water you get out immediately. How to handle each one.
- What to always keep in your car emergency kit A kit that fits in one box and covers everything from a night-time breakdown to being stuck in snow. What stays all year and what changes by season.
Gear that covers this
Products that match what the guide above recommends.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not change the price you pay or the recommendations we make.
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LED emergency beacon
Replaces triangles and avoids having to walk the shoulder to place them. It is visible from a distance and wind does not knock it over.
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Reflective vest
If you do have to get out, it is what makes you visible. It belongs inside the cabin, not in the trunk.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in the car if I break down?
Generally yes, especially on a highway, at night or in bad weather. The vehicle protects you, makes you visible and is far easier to find than a person walking the shoulder.
When should I get out of the vehicle?
If there is a fire risk, if the car is in a travel lane and cannot be moved, or if there is flooding. In that case get out on the side away from traffic and move well off the shoulder.
Is it a good idea to walk for help?
Rarely. Distances on the road are deceptive, shoulders are dangerous for pedestrians, and in extreme cold or heat walking accelerates exhaustion. Waiting inside is better unless a destination is clearly close.
Can I leave the engine running to keep warm?
Only intermittently and after checking that the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow or mud. If it is, carbon monoxide enters the cabin.