Experiencing a flat tire or minor fender bender on a busy highway is stressful, but your next move is critical for survival. Approximately 610 pedestrians die each year on the shoulder of a highway or interstate. Stepping out of your vehicle on high-speed, distracted roadways puts you at extreme risk.
The Hidden Dangers of the Highway Shoulder
Interstate 285 is consistently ranked as Georgia's most dangerous road, concentrating over 25,000 crashes annually within its 64-mile loop. Leaving the protection of your vehicle makes you highly vulnerable to passing traffic. Even a minor secondary fender bender can push another car into your breakdown scene. Attempting DIY repairs like changing a tire on the roadside is unsafe; the force of passing vehicles can rock your car off its jack stand. In August alone in Atlanta, six or seven people were killed or seriously injured because they stepped out of their vehicles during a roadside emergency.
Essential Steps for a Safe Highway Breakdown
If you find yourself stranded, prioritize these life-saving actions instead of getting out:
- Pull completely off the road: Move your vehicle as far away from the traffic lane as possible, steering into grassy areas if you need to.
- Stay inside and buckle up: Keep your seatbelt fastened while waiting. If another vehicle strikes your car, your seatbelt will keep you from being thrown around the cabin, and your airbags will still deploy if the vehicle's switch is on.
- Turn on your flashers: Activate your hazard lights immediately to warn oncoming drivers.
- Wait it out: Sitting in your car for 45 to 60 minutes until help arrives is much safer than risking your life on the shoulder.
Who to Call for Help (Georgia Residents)
Never assume you must handle the breakdown yourself. There are free, dedicated resources trained to secure high-traffic areas:
- 911: Always dial 911 first if you are involved in a collision or are in immediate danger.
- 511 (HERO & CHAMP Units): In Georgia, dialing 511 connects you to the Department of Transportation. In Metro Atlanta, they will dispatch a HERO unit (marked by big yellow trucks, flashing lights, and cones). If you are outside Metro Atlanta, the state funds the CHAMP program to provide the exact same roadside protection.
- Insurance Roadside Assistance: Review your auto insurance policy to see if you already pay for a roadside assistance program that can dispatch a tow truck to your location.
