Who to Call for Help When Your Car Breaks Down on the Highway?
3 Answers
Rescue methods when your car breaks down on the highway: Call the road rescue hotline or contact your insurance company and car dealer. Below are the relevant details: 1. Illegal parking is strictly prohibited on highways: If you must stop due to a breakdown, set up a warning sign 150 meters behind your vehicle and quickly move all passengers to a safe location outside the guardrail. Call 96096 to wait for rescue. Additionally, do not get on or off the vehicle randomly on the highway. 2. If your car breaks down on the highway: If you have insurance, simply call your insurance company. If uninsured, dial 122 for road rescue. When a vehicle becomes immobile due to breakdown or accident on the highway, immediately turn on the hazard warning lights and place a warning sign 150 meters behind the vehicle. At night, also turn on the width marker lights and tail lights.
Last time my car broke down on the highway, it was terrifying, but I later learned that the first step is to prioritize safety: immediately pull over to the side, turn on the hazard lights, place the warning triangle 150 meters behind the car, climb over the guardrail to a safe area outside the roadway, and then call the national highway rescue hotline at 12122. If the signal is weak, dial 110 for the police, who will arrange for a tow truck and assistance. I once encountered a dead phone battery, so I now carry a power bank. Remember not to attempt repairs or wander around—highways are extremely dangerous with fast-moving traffic, increasing the risk of secondary accidents. Contact your insurance company if you have roadside assistance coverage, as it can save you money on towing fees. After the incident, I reflected on why older cars are more prone to breakdowns and realized it was due to delayed oil changes causing sudden engine failure. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid such scary situations on the road. In summary, stay calm and act wisely—safety comes first.
Back when I was a newbie driver, the first time my car broke down on the highway, I was panicked but followed the method taught by my experienced friend: After stopping safely, immediately turn on the hazard lights, don’t skip placing the warning triangle 50 to 100 meters behind the car, and then move to the roadside greenbelt to wait. I searched my phone for rescue numbers—12122 is the dedicated highway hotline. After getting through, report your location and license plate details; if you don’t have it or forget, call 110 for police assistance. I remember the tow truck took a while that time, so I prepared a backup phone in case my battery died. Later, I summarized: Don’t wait inside the car to avoid being hit, and don’t hitch rides with strangers. You can save 12122 as a speed-dial or search for highway rescue services via WeChat mini-programs. Also, in high-speed areas, the wind can knock over the warning triangle, so I used rocks to weigh it down. Following these steps methodically is generally reliable and minimizes mistakes.
