A breakdown is stressful, but the first few minutes matter most. Whether you're stuck on a busy Providence street or stranded on the shoulder of the highway, working through these steps in order keeps you safe and gets you back on the road sooner.
1. Get yourself and the car to safety
If the car is still moving, ease off the accelerator and coast toward the right shoulder or the nearest exit, parking lot, or side street. Avoid stopping in a travel lane if there's any way to keep rolling to a safer spot. Once stopped, turn the wheels away from traffic and set the parking brake.
2. Make yourself visible
- Switch on your hazard lights immediately, day or night.
- If you have reflective triangles or flares, place them behind the vehicle to warn approaching drivers.
- At night, turn on interior lights so you're easier to see.
On a highway, staying visible is the single most important thing you can do while you wait.
3. Decide whether to stay in the car
On a fast-moving road, it's usually safest to stay buckled inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on until help arrives. If you must exit (for a fire or a clearly unsafe position), get out on the side away from traffic and move well behind the guardrail.
4. Call for a tow
Call Providence Towing at (401) 249-4432. We dispatch 24 hours a day across Providence, RI, and we'll quote the price before we hook up. When you call, have this ready:
- Your location: nearest cross streets, a highway exit number, or a mile marker.
- The problem: won't start, a flat tire, overheating, an accident, or a dead battery.
- The vehicle: year, make, and model so we bring the right truck and gear.
5. While you wait
Stay put and stay visible. Don't attempt repairs in a live lane. If anyone stops to "help" and it doesn't feel right, it's fine to wait for the tow truck you called. We'll keep you updated on your driver's ETA.
Why a proper flatbed matters
A flatbed loads your vehicle completely off the ground, which protects the transmission, drivetrain, and bumpers during transport, which matters most for all-wheel-drive cars and lowered vehicles. It's the safest way to move a vehicle that can't be driven. Read more about our flatbed towing in Providence.