How to Stay Safe During Roadside Emergencies on Washington’s Busy Highways

Written by the Pro-Tow Team
Serving Auburn, Maple Valley, Spokane and the Pacific Northwest

Breaking down on a highway is stressful, whether you are driving a family vehicle or operating a commercial truck. Many highways in Washington State move fast, stay busy, and often have limited shoulders. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can protect you, your passengers, and other drivers.

At Pro-Tow by FleetEasy, we respond to breakdowns and roadside emergencies across Washington State every day. We see what works, what does not, and where small decisions make a big difference.

This guide shares practical steps to help you stay safe until help arrives.

If your vehicle is still moving, try to get out of active lanes as soon as it is safe to do so.

Signal early and move to the shoulder, an off-ramp, or a nearby parking area if possible. Avoid stopping on curves, hills, or narrow shoulders if you can. For commercial drivers, choose a location that gives recovery equipment enough room to work safely.

Once stopped, turn your wheels away from traffic and set the parking brake. For trucks, engage hazard lights and follow all required safety protocols.

Poor visibility of your vehicle is a major cause of accidents. Make sure drivers can see you.

Turn on your hazard lights immediately. If you have reflective triangles or flares, place them in accordance with safety guidelines. Commercial drivers should deploy warning devices as required by regulations.

If conditions are poor due to rain, fog, or snow, visibility becomes even more important. Staying visible gives approaching drivers time to slow down and move over.

Don’t be tempted to get out and inspect the vehicle right away. On busy highways, that can be dangerous. If you are stopped on a narrow shoulder or near traffic, staying inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on is often safer. Exit only if you can move well away from traffic and stand in a protected area. Try not to stand between your vehicle and traffic.

For fleet drivers, follow your company safety policies and do not attempt roadside repairs unless conditions are clearly safe.

If you’ve broken down on the side of the highway, waiting too long to call for help can make a bad situation worse.

If you are unsure whether the vehicle can move, call for roadside assistance or towing right away. Let the dispatcher know your exact location, direction of travel, and vehicle type. Commercial drivers should share details about trailers, loads, or special conditions.

Pro-Tow’s professional tow operators are trained to work safely in traffic zones and coordinate with other agencies when needed. Calling early helps reduce your exposure time on the roadside.

Washington’s “Move Over” law requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching emergency or roadside vehicles. While many drivers comply, not all do. That means you must stay alert. As mentioned, never stand between your vehicle and traffic. If you have to get out of the vehicle, wait for a break in traffic, then move to the other side quickly.

When help arrives, follow the tow truck operator’s instructions. They may ask you to remain in the vehicle or move to a safer location while they set up.

Clear communication helps the recovery go faster and safer. Share any concerns about vehicle damage, cargo, or mechanical issues. For fleet drivers, notify dispatch as required and keep documentation organized.

Roadside emergencies are never convenient, but preparation makes a difference. Knowing who to call and understanding these basic safety tips can reduce risk for everyone involved. At Pro-Tow, our teams support drivers across Washington State with professional towing and roadside response when it matters most. You can contact us 24 hours a day, and we’ll be there to help you with roadside emergencies.

Learn more about our 24-hour towing.

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