Freeway breakdowns are particularly dangerous due to high-speed traffic. Proper procedures can prevent secondary accidents and keep you safe while waiting for help.
Breakdown Procedures:
At the first sign of trouble, begin to pull over. Do not wait for your vehicle to stall on the freeway. Check your mirrors, put on your hazard lights, take your foot off the gas pedal and pull over to the nearest shoulder as quickly as possible. Never stop in the driving lanes.
Safe Positioning:
Be careful getting out of your vehicle. If possible, leave through the door away from traffic. Do not raise the hood as this can obstruct visibility and create additional hazards.
Waiting for Help:
While you wait for help, stay in your vehicle with the doors locked. If someone stops to help, ask them to call the police or automobile club for you. If you have a cellular phone, call for help yourself. The Queen Elizabeth Way, the 400-series freeways and many other high-speed roads are patrolled by the Ontario Provincial Police. Stay with your vehicle, and help will arrive shortly.
Visibility and Safety:
Keep your hazard lights flashing continuously. If you have reflective triangles or flares, place them well behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic, but only if you can do so safely without exposing yourself to traffic.
Emergency Equipment:
Always carry emergency equipment in your vehicle:
- Charged cellular phone
- Reflective triangles or emergency flares
- First aid kit
- Blanket
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Emergency contact numbers
Special Considerations:
Never attempt repairs on a busy freeway. Even simple fixes like changing a tire can be extremely dangerous due to high-speed traffic passing very close to the shoulder.
At first sign of trouble, begin pulling over immediately
Don't wait for vehicle to stall on freeway
Check mirrors, hazard lights, foot off gas, pull to shoulder quickly
Never stop in driving lanes
Exit vehicle through door away from traffic if possible