What to Do If You Break Down on the Highway

Know what to do if you break down on highways, bridges and passes

It’s every driver’s worst fear: breaking down on the highway. Hopefully, you’ll never have this experience. But whether it happens on a floating bridge or making your way across a mountain pass, the thought of coming to a stop makes you shiver, especially in Washington state. If it does happen, here’s what to do if you break down on the highway.

First, put on your hazard lights. This will signal to other drivers that you’re having some trouble and slowing down.

What you do next depends on where you break down on the highway. Let’s look at some different scenarios.

Scenario #1: I can’t get off the highway

If you can’t leave the highway and your car, truck or SUV is dying, pull over as far as you can. This might be difficult if there’s no paved shoulder (or a gravel one, for that matter). On Seattle’s I-90 floating bridge, for example, the shoulder has limited space, so simply do your best to pull over as far as you can. On most roads, you should pull over onto the far right shoulder.

Don’t get out of your car if you break down on the highway.

• Once you’ve pulled over, turn off your car, ensure your hazard lights are still on and call 911. The person who answers will tell you what to do. Share as many details as you can about your exact location.
• Be sure to tell the 911 operator that it’s not safe for you to get out of your car and that you’re blocking the road. You will be made a priority, especially on busy sections of the highway.
• Depending on where you are, and the traffic situation, the 911 operator may dispatch an Incident Response Team. This team specializes in keeping traffic moving. You might have seen their trucks on the highway with large flashing arrows that tell other drivers to move over. They will help to keep you safe and manage the traffic flowing around your car.

Next, if you’re a AAA member, call AAA Roadside Assistance. You can request emergency road service by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP  (1-800-222-4357).

AAA will work with the Incident Response Team to dispatch a tow truck to your exact location. Stay in your car and know that help is on the way. When we arrive, we’ll tow your car to a place of safety.

Tip: Your AAA Washington membership includes four Roadside Assistance events per year, which includes fuel delivery if you run out of gas and if you break down on the highway. Depending on your type of membership — Classic, Plus or Premier — we will tow your vehicle up to 200 miles, if needed.

Scenario #2: I can get off the highway safely

If you can safely leave the highway, drive to the next exit or turn into a driveway or parking lot. Get off the highway as quickly as you can. Use your judgment about turning off the road if there are snowbanks blocking sight lines or a side road looks unpassable.

• Pull over safely and turn off your car. Make sure your hazard lights are still on.
• Once you’ve had a moment to breathe, call AAA Roadside Assistance. Tell us as much as you can about your exact location and what might be wrong with your car, such as if you have a flat tire.
• If it’s safe to get out of your car, you can also prop open the hood. However, if you break down on the highway, the safest place to wait for help is still inside your car.
• Your AAA Customer Service Agent will guide you through what to do and indicate how quickly a service truck can reach you. Once your service truck technician arrives, you can decide where to tow your car, such as to a nearby mechanic, if needed.

Tip: Your AAA Washington membership includes flat tire changes. That means we will install your spare tire, if available, wherever you happen to be. Depending on where you get a flat, we may tow your car to a place of safety first, then change the tire. For example, if you break down on the highway, we will likely tow you to a place of safety before changing the tire.

Scenario #3: I don’t have cell service

On many sections of Washington highways, and especially mountain passes (including Blewett Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass and White Pass), there’s no cell or mobile phone service.

If you break down on the highway in an area where you can’t get a signal, don’t panic. Turn off your car and keep your hazard lights on. Stay in your car.

This is a scenario where you’ll need help from another driver who’s passing by. Let’s call them a Good Samaritan.

• When a Good Samaritan pulls over and offers help, ask them to call AAA Roadside Assistance when they reach an area with good cell service.
• For your personal safety, it’s a good idea to stay in your car and lock your doors. You can speak with the Good Samaritan by lowering your window.
• On a piece of paper, write down your name, AAA membership number, car make and model, license plate number, why you broke down (flat tire, engine trouble, etc.) and a detailed description of your location. Ask the Good Samaritan to give all these details to AAA and to send help.
• In cold weather, you may want to keep your car running to stay warm. But try to avoid running the car for long periods due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

If it happens that you’re able to walk to a nearby business or gas station — and it’s safe for you to walk along the stretch of road — take that short walk and ask to use a phone to call for help. If the weather’s bad, tell AAA that you will wait for them at the business or gas station instead of returning to your car.

Tip: Did you know that AAA Washington members have access to an Approved Auto Repair network of more than 100 facilities that are fully vetted, certified and ready to help? AAA Approved Auto Repair can help you find a reputable, inspected repair shop that offers exclusive AAA benefits.

Use your AAA Washington membership to get back on the road

Hopefully, you’ll never have the bad luck to break down on the highway. But, if any of these scenarios happen to you, rest assured that help is only a call away. AAA Roadside Assistance will either get you going or tow you to a place of safety, including a mechanic or repair shop. Hopefully, it won’t be too long until you’re happily and safely back on the road.