Breaking down on a busy highway like I-45 or the Grand Parkway is stressful, and the minutes right after it happens matter most. Here is what to do, step by step, to stay safe and get help quickly.
1. Get as far off the road as you can
The moment you notice a problem, such as a warning light, a shudder, smoke, or a loss of power, turn on your hazard lights and steer toward the right shoulder. If you can safely reach an exit, a wide shoulder, or a parking lot, do it. Every foot between you and live traffic makes you safer.
Avoid stopping on a curve, just past a hill, or in a spot where other drivers will not see you until the last second.
2. Make yourself visible
Keep your hazard lights on. At night, turn on your interior dome light as well. If you have reflective triangles or flares and can place them safely, set them up well behind your vehicle. If you cannot do it without walking into traffic, skip it.
3. Decide whether to stay in or get out
On a busy highway, the safest place is usually inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened. If you can exit on the side away from traffic and move well behind a guardrail or up an embankment, that can be safer, especially if your vehicle is partly in a travel lane. Never stand between your vehicle and traffic, and never try to cross the highway on foot.
4. Call for help
If anyone is hurt or your vehicle is blocking traffic in a dangerous spot, call 911 first. Otherwise, call a towing company. When you call DMC Towing Service at (346) 407-9559, have this ready:
- Your location. The highway, direction of travel, the nearest exit or mile marker, or a pin drop from your phone.
- Your vehicle. Year, make, model, and color.
- What happened. Will not start, flat tire, overheating, accident, out of gas.
- Where it should go. Your mechanic, dealership, home, or the nearest shop.
5. Do not accept help from just anyone
Unrequested tow trucks sometimes show up at breakdowns and accidents. Before you let anyone hook up your vehicle, confirm the company name matches the one you called. A legitimate operator will not pressure you.
6. Know that many problems do not need a tow
Dead batteries, flat tires, empty tanks, and lockouts can often be fixed right where you are. Our roadside assistance services include jump starts, tire changes, and fuel delivery. If the fix does not work, we can tow your vehicle without you waiting on a second company.
Keep a basic roadside kit in your car
A little preparation goes a long way. Keep these in your vehicle:
- Phone charger or battery pack
- Flashlight
- Reflective triangles
- Bottled water, especially in Texas summers
- A properly inflated spare tire, jack, and wheel lock key
- Your insurance card and the number for a trusted towing company
DMC Towing Service is based in Spring, TX and open 24/7 for drivers within about 30 miles, including The Woodlands, Klein, Humble, Kingwood, Tomball, and Conroe. Save our number now so you have it when you need it: (346) 407-9559.
DMC Towing Service