Breaking down on the 5, 57, 91 or 22 is stressful. Traffic is fast, shoulders are narrow, and it's hard to think clearly. Here's what to do, in order, so you stay safe and get help quickly.
1. Get as far off the road as you can
As soon as you notice a problem, such as a warning light, a shaking steering wheel, smoke or a loss of power, signal and move to the right shoulder. If you can safely reach an exit, take it. A side street or parking lot is much safer than a freeway shoulder.
2. Make yourself visible
Turn on your hazard lights right away. At night, leave your interior lights on as well. If you have reflective triangles and can put them out without walking into traffic, place them behind your vehicle.
3. Stay in the car with your seat belt on
On a freeway shoulder, the safest place is usually inside your vehicle with your seat belt fastened. Don't stand between your car and traffic. Only get out if there is smoke, a fire, or another clear danger, and then exit on the side away from traffic and move behind the guardrail if there is one.
4. Know your exact location
When you call for a tow, the driver needs to know:
- Which freeway you are on and your direction (for example, 91 West)
- The last exit you passed or the next one coming up
- Any mile marker or call box number you can see
- Which shoulder you are on
If you are using a phone map, you can also share your GPS pin.
5. Tell us about the vehicle
Give the year, make and model, and whether it is all-wheel drive, lowered or damaged. That tells us which truck to send. We tow cars, SUVs and pickups on flatbed rollbacks, which keep all four wheels off the road.
6. Decide where the vehicle is going
Have your mechanic, dealer or home address ready. If you don't have a shop yet, tell the dispatcher and we can talk through options.
Need a tow in North Orange County?
Anytime Towing is based in Anaheim and runs light duty and heavy duty trucks throughout North Orange County, 7AM to 7PM, seven days a week. Call (714) 844-0919.