What to do When Your Car Breaks Down on a Busy Road ?

Getting stranded on a busy road due to a car breakdown can be a terrifying and overwhelming experience. Whether it’s rush hour or a quiet evening, the situation requires immediate action to ensure both your safety and the safety of others on the road. Knowing what to do when your car breaks down on a busy road is crucial, as a quick and composed response can prevent further complications, including accidents or traffic disruptions. This article provides essential steps to take in such scenarios, along with the role of professional services like Crossroads Helpline, which can help alleviate the stress of dealing with vehicle breakdowns on high-traffic roads.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

Car breakdown.

The first thing to do when your car breaks down on a busy road is to stay calm. Panic will only make it harder for you to think clearly and make the right decisions. Take a deep breath and assess the situation. Is your car still running? Can you move it to a safer location? If possible, steer your vehicle towards the side of the road, away from the active lanes of traffic. If you cannot move the car or it’s in a hazardous position, you will need to ensure you’re as safe as possible.

Key Actions:

Turn on your hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers of your stalled vehicle.
If possible, move the car to a shoulder or a safe area away from traffic. This will minimize the risk of collision.
Assess the surroundings for any potential dangers like sharp turns, hills, or blind spots.

By staying calm and quickly moving your car to a safe area, you are reducing the risk of an accident. However, if you’re unable to move your car, don’t attempt to fix it yourself unless you are sure about what needs to be done.

Step 2: Ensure Your Safety First

Safety is the top priority when dealing with a car breakdown on a busy road. It’s essential to avoid standing too close to the car, especially if you’re on a high-speed road. You should also be cautious when exiting your vehicle. Follow these safety measures:

Exit the vehicle from the side away from traffic. If you’re on the driver’s side, carefully check both directions before stepping out. If you’re on the passenger’s side, wait until the coast is clear.
Position yourself and passengers safely away from the road. Ideally, move behind a guardrail, a concrete barrier, or into a nearby building if possible.
Do not attempt to fix the vehicle on the road, especially if you’re unsure of the problem. Leave that to professionals.

When you follow these safety precautions, you are protecting yourself and those with you from further risk. If you feel unsafe or unsure, it’s always wise to call for roadside assistance immediately.

Step 3: Contact Roadside Assistance or Emergency Services

Man with refuel canister near the car on the roadside

Once you’ve ensured safety, it’s time to call for help. What to do when your car breaks down on a busy road often requires professional assistance. You can contact roadside assistance services like Crossroads Helpline, which provides quick, reliable, and hassle-free help in such situations. Here’s what you should do:

Call for roadside assistance: If you have a subscription with a service like Crossroads Helpline, dial their emergency number. If not, contact a trusted towing company or local roadside assistance service.
Provide essential details: When calling, be sure to mention your exact location, the condition of your car, and whether you need a tow or other services.
Consider contacting local authorities if you believe the breakdown could cause a major hazard. Police may come to divert traffic and secure the area.

Having the number of a reliable roadside assistance provider like Crossroads Helpline stored in your phone can save you time and stress when you need help most. It is essential to act fast, especially on busy roads where the danger of accidents is heightened.

Step 4: Wait for Help in a Safe Manner

While waiting for the help to arrive, you should remain vigilant and take steps to stay safe. It’s important to keep the car’s hazard lights flashing so approaching vehicles can see you from a distance. Here are some tips for waiting safely:

Stay inside the vehicle if possible, especially if the breakdown occurred in a dangerous location.
Place warning triangles or reflective cones, if you have them, behind your vehicle to increase visibility.
Avoid standing near the vehicle unless you absolutely have to. Always stay behind a barrier or as far from traffic as possible.

If you’re in an isolated area or it’s dark, consider staying in your car with the doors locked. However, if you feel that your safety is compromised, seek refuge in a nearby building or other safe area while you wait for help.

Step 5: Be Prepared for the Roadside Assistance to Arrive

When the roadside assistance team or tow truck arrives, you must be prepared to assist them in accessing your car and providing the necessary information. Keep these things in mind:

Have your car’s information ready, including make, model, and any details about the breakdown if you have them.
Stay clear of the area when the professionals are working. Let them handle the situation from there.
If your car needs to be towed, make sure you know where it is being taken for repairs or further diagnostics.

By being cooperative and following the instructions of the roadside assistance provider, the process will go smoothly and efficiently.

Benefits of Using Crossroads Helpline for Car Breakdown Assistance

Man in work clothes repairs a car after a breakdown

Crossroads Helpline offers a range of services designed to make dealing with a car breakdown as smooth and stress-free as possible. Here are some benefits of using their service when you encounter what to do when your car breaks down on a busy road:

Quick Response Time: Crossroads Helpline ensures that help arrives promptly, minimizing the time you spend on the road.
Expert Assistance: Their team is trained to handle various types of breakdowns and can provide quick fixes or towing services.
Comprehensive Coverage: Whether you need a jump start, tire change, or a full tow, Crossroads Helpline can handle it all, often with additional features like accident assistance and insurance claims support.

Step 6: Take Preventative Measures for Future Safety

Once your car has been repaired or towed, it’s crucial to consider ways to prevent future breakdowns. Here are a few steps to ensure that you’re better prepared next time:

Regular Car Maintenance: Ensure that your car undergoes regular maintenance checks to avoid unexpected breakdowns.
Prepare an Emergency Kit: Keep an emergency kit in your car with essentials like a flashlight, jumper cables, tire inflator, first-aid kit, and a list of emergency contacts.
Know Your Route: Before driving, especially on busy roads, be sure to plan your route and be aware of alternative routes in case of delays or road issues.

By staying proactive, you can prevent future breakdowns and reduce your reliance on roadside assistance services.