Breaking down in a live lane: what to do when your car stops on the highway
How to get out of traffic, decide whether to stay inside and call for help
A car can lose power without much warning. A belt snaps, a tire blows, the battery dies or an electric vehicle runs out of charge. On a busy highway, the moments after a breakdown are some of the most dangerous a driver can face.
National crash data show more than 2,100 people were killed outside disabled vehicles at the roadside from 2019 to 2023 [1]. That includes stranded drivers, people who stopped to help, tow operators and first responders. Each year, about 400 to 500 ordinary motorists and good Samaritans are struck and killed outside disabled vehicles [2]. This guide explains what to do, step by step.
The first few seconds: use your momentum
As soon as you notice trouble, such as a warning light, a loss of power, a flat tire or smoke:
1. Turn on your hazard lights right away.
2. Signal and steer toward the right shoulder, or toward the nearest exit if you are close.
3. Coast as far as you can. Get fully off the road, past the white edge line, if possible. Even a few more feet from traffic matters.
4. Avoid stopping on a curve, just over a hill, under an overpass or in a narrow work zone, if you have a choice.
5. Turn your wheels away from traffic and set the parking brake once stopped.
If the shoulder on the left is the only place you can reach, use it. But the right side usually has more room and an easier way to walk away from traffic.
If you made it to the shoulder
- Keep your hazard lights on
- If it is safe, get everyone out on the side away from traffic
- Move well behind a guardrail, up a slope or away from the road
- Do not stand between your car and traffic, or behind your car
- Call for roadside help, and call 911 if the shoulder is narrow or traffic is heavy
If there is no barrier or safe place to stand, and traffic is close and fast, it may be safer to stay inside with seat belts on.
If you are stuck in a travel lane
This is the most dangerous situation. You have two choices, and the right one depends on what you can see.
Get out and away, if you safely can. If there is a barrier, an embankment or a wide area nearby, and traffic has slowed or stopped, carefully exit away from traffic and move far from the car.
Stay in the car, buckled up, if you cannot. If cars are speeding past and there is nowhere safe to go, stay in your seat with your belt on and hazard lights flashing. Your seat belt protects you if your car is hit. A person standing in a live lane has no protection.
Either way, call 911 right away. Tell the dispatcher you are stopped in a travel lane, your direction and the nearest exit or mile marker. Police can protect the scene and send a tow.
Warning: Do not try to push your car, change a tire or open the hood while you are in or next to a live traffic lane. Wait for police or a tow truck.
Make yourself visible
- Keep hazard lights on day and night
- Turn on interior lights at night
- Set out warning triangles or flares only if you can do it well away from traffic and it is safe
- Raise the hood or tie a bright cloth to the antenna if you are on the shoulder
Who to call
- 911 for a car stopped in a travel lane, an injury, a fire or a dangerous spot
- Roadside assistance through your insurance, auto club or carmaker for a shoulder breakdown
- A state highway help line, if your state has one. Many metro areas have free safety service patrols that help stranded drivers. Look for signs or check your state transportation agency’s website.
The other side: Move Over
Every U.S. state has some form of Slow Down, Move Over law, and many apply to any disabled vehicle, not just police cars and tow trucks [2]. When you see flashing lights or hazards on the shoulder:
- Move over one lane if it is safe
- If you cannot move over, slow down well below the speed limit
- Put your phone down and give the scene your full attention
A roadside assistance provider is struck and killed about every two weeks in the United States [2].
Prevent breakdowns
- Keep up with maintenance: oil, coolant, belts and brakes
- Check tire pressure and tread monthly
- Replace batteries that are aging or slow to start
- Keep at least a quarter tank of gas, or plan EV charging stops with a cushion
Checklist: highway emergency kit
Checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- Phone charger and a charged phone
- Reflective vest
- Warning triangles or road flares
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Water, snacks and a blanket
- Roadside assistance number saved in my phone
- First aid kit
Frequently asked questions
Should I put my hazard lights on while moving?
Yes, when your car is failing or moving much slower than traffic. Turn them on as soon as trouble starts.
Is it ever safe to change a tire on the highway shoulder?
Only if you are far from traffic on a wide shoulder. Otherwise, drive slowly on the flat to an exit if you can, or wait for professional help.
What if my electric vehicle runs out of charge?
Treat it like any breakdown. Many EVs give warnings before they stop. Steer to the shoulder and call roadside assistance for a tow or mobile charging.
Related articles
Sources and further reading
- 1AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Roadside Fatalities” project synopsis. 2026. aaafoundation.org/…/51235_Project-Synopsis_Road…
- 2AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Slow Down, Move Over Survey” project synopsis. 2025. aaafoundation.org/…/51224_Project-Synopsis_Slow…
This article reflects the safety priorities of highway safety and roadside emergency response. It is general education, not emergency instructions. Call 911 when you are in danger. Reviewed November 2026.
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