Experiencing a vehicle breakdown is stressful, but having a clear safety plan can prevent a bad situation from becoming a dangerous one. Whether you are on a busy interstate or a quiet side street, your priority should be visibility and personal protection while you wait for AAA to arrive.

Immediate Steps for Safety

If your vehicle begins to fail, try to coast to the shoulder or the nearest exit. On multi-lane highways, the right shoulder is generally safer than the left. Once you have stopped, turn your front wheels away from the road and set the emergency brake. This ensures that if another vehicle strikes yours, it will be pushed away from traffic rather than into it.

Immediately activate your hazard lights. This is the most effective way to signal to other drivers that your vehicle is stationary, especially during the night or in poor weather.

Deciding Where to Wait

Safety experts generally recommend staying inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened. Your car is designed with safety features like airbags and a reinforced frame that provide the best protection if a passing motorist fails to move over.

However, there are exceptions. If you cannot get your car fully off the road, or if you are on a blind curve where you might be rear-ended, it may be safer to exit. If you must leave the vehicle:

  • Exit through the door furthest from traffic (typically the passenger side).

  • Move at least 40 feet away from the roadway and your vehicle.

  • Stand behind a guardrail or on an embankment if possible.

  • Never stand directly in front of or behind your car.

Increasing Your Visibility

If it is safe to do so, place reflective triangles or road flares behind your vehicle to create a safety buffer. AAA suggests placing the first marker about 10 feet behind the car, with additional markers at 100-foot and 200-foot intervals. This gives oncoming drivers ample time to change lanes. You can also hang a brightly colored cloth or white T-shirt from a window to further draw attention to your situation.

Security & Communication

While waiting, keep your doors locked and windows rolled up. If a stranger stops to offer help, it is best to stay inside and crack the window just enough to let them know that professional assistance is already on the way.

Save your phone battery for essential communication. Avoid scrolling through social media or playing games, as you need to remain reachable by the dispatch center or the tow technician. Having your membership information and ID ready will also speed up the process once help arrives.

The Slow Down, Move Over Law

It is important to remember that many states have expanded Slow Down, Move Over laws. These regulations now often require motorists to change lanes or significantly reduce speed for any disabled vehicle with hazard lights or flares—not just for emergency responders. By making yourself as visible as possible, you help other drivers comply with these laws and keep everyone on the roadside safe.