Turn on your hazards, pull as far onto the shoulder or breakdown lane as you safely can, and get out on the side away from traffic if it's safe to exit. Call Boston Towing Service — the line runs 24 hours a day, every day — and stay somewhere visible but out of the travel lane until the truck arrives.
Should you stay in the car or get out?
On a highway or a road with real traffic speed, get out on the side away from moving vehicles if it's safe to do so, and stand behind a guardrail or well off the pavement rather than next to the car. Standing beside a disabled vehicle in a travel lane is one of the more dangerous places to be.
In a driveway, a parking lot, or a quiet side street, staying inside with your seatbelt on is usually the safer, simpler choice — there's no traffic to get clear of.
What should you tell the dispatcher?
A few details up front mean the driver isn't guessing when they arrive.
- Your exact location — a cross street, exit number, or landmark works better than "somewhere on the highway"
- What's wrong with the vehicle, if you know
- Whether anyone needs medical attention
- A callback number in case the driver needs to confirm details
What if there's no shoulder to pull onto?
Move as far right as the road allows, keep the hazards on, and call Boston Towing Service at (781) 557-4323 to report the exact spot rather than waiting until you find a better one — a precise location gets the truck there faster than a perfect parking spot does.
Should I stay in my car while I wait?
On a highway shoulder, no — exit on the side away from traffic and get behind a barrier if there is one. In a driveway or parking lot, staying inside with your seatbelt on is fine.
Is it safe to wait with my hazard lights on at night?
Yes — leave them on the entire time you're waiting, day or night. They're what makes the vehicle visible to other drivers before headlights would otherwise pick it out, so don't switch them off to save the battery.
What if I can't get the car fully off the road?
Keep the hazards on and stay as far from moving traffic as the space allows. Call Boston Towing Service at (781) 557-4323 with the exact location so the driver isn't searching for you once they arrive.