Broke down on the highway: what to do
A breakdown on I-95, the Palmetto or the Turnpike is scary, especially at night. Here's what to do, in order, to stay safe and get the car moved.
1. Get out of the travel lanes if you can
If the car still rolls, steer onto the right shoulder, an exit ramp or a side street. The farther from moving traffic, the better. Turn on your hazard lights right away.
2. Stay safe while you wait
- On a highway shoulder, the safest place is usually inside the car with your seatbelt on.
- If you have to get out, use the door away from traffic and stand well off the road, behind a guardrail if there is one. Never stand between the car and traffic.
- Don't try to fix the car on the shoulder, especially at night.
- If you're stuck in a lane, blocking traffic, or feel in danger, call 911.
3. Get help on the highway: *347
On South Florida's major highways, dial *347 from your cell phone to reach the Florida Highway Patrol. Florida's Road Rangers patrol these roads and can help you get somewhere safer. Since 2024, Florida's Move Over law also covers broken-down cars with their hazard lights on, so keep them on.
4. Book the tow
Open the ZeroTow app or zerotow.com and drop the pin where you are. On a highway, add your direction (northbound, southbound…) and the last exit or mile marker you passed in the note for the driver. You see the full price before you book, and you watch the truck come to you on the map.
5. Before the truck arrives
- Take your wallet, phone charger, papers and any garage or gate openers out of the car.
- Have the keys ready for the driver.
- Decide where the car is going: home, a shop or a dealer. If the shop is closed, call them about where to leave the car and the keys.
- The driver photographs the car from every side before hooking it, and you sign off. Your card is held, not charged, until the car is delivered.