What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on a Dark Texas Highway at Night

Step 1: Pull Over as Far as Possible

If you feel your car losing power, do not panic and do not slam on the brakes. Coast to the right shoulder as far off the road as you safely can. The further you are from the white line, the safer you are from distracted or sleepy drivers drifting onto the shoulder.

Step 2: Make Your Car Visible

Immediately turn on your hazard lights. If you have flares or reflective warning triangles in your trunk, and it is safe to exit your vehicle, place them at least 100 feet behind your car to warn oncoming traffic. If your battery is dead and your hazards won't work, turn on your smartphone flashlight and leave it visible in the rear window.

Step 3: Stay in the Vehicle (Usually)

Unless your car is smoking, on fire, or sitting in the active lanes of traffic, the safest place for you is inside the vehicle with your seatbelt buckled. Exiting the vehicle on a dark, high-speed highway is incredibly dangerous. Never stand behind your car or directly next to it on the traffic side.

Step 4: Call a 24/7 Towing Service

You need to get your car off the highway quickly. State police may eventually tag your vehicle to be towed and impounded, which will cost you heavily. It is much safer and cheaper to call a private 24/7 towing service in San Antonio or New Braunfels directly to tow your car straight to your home or a mechanic.

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Frequently Asked Questions