What to Do When You're Disabled on the Highway

Question: I have a teenage daughter that will be driving on her own in a few months and I don't know how to advise her on a highway safety issue. If my daughter's car breaks down on the expressway, once she pulls her car on to the shoulder of the road, should she stay in the car and chance getting hit by a driver that is not paying attention or should she leave the vehicle and chance making herself vulnerable to strangers?

Answer: If a car becomes disabled or breaks down while driving on the expressway (flat tire, out of gas, engine failure) the driver should safely maneuver the vehicle to the left or right shoulder. The driver should position the vehicle as far onto the shoulder as possible, without going into the ditch or getting stuck. A disabled vehicle positioned three to four feet away from the traffic lane, with the hazard emergency lights activated, should be safe. 

Should a driver stay in a disabled vehicle or exit and stand further away on the shoulder? This will depend on the driver's comfort level and where the disabled vehicle is ultimately parked. If the driver chooses to exit the vehicle, I would suggest they stand away from the traffic lanes and 20 to 30 feet away from the vehicle. 

If the driver chooses to stay in the vehicle, I strongly suggest they continue to wear his or her seatbelt. If another vehicle does crash into the disabled vehicle, the seatbelt offers significant protection for the driver. This has been proven, more than once, when troopers' patrol cars were struck while on traffic stops. 

Disabled vehicles should be removed from the shoulder of the roadway as soon as possible.

If you have a question for Ask A Trooper, send it to askatrooper12@gmail.com.

Meet Trooper Grace

Trooper Chris Grace has been a member of the Brighton Post since 1998. A third generation trooper, Grace's grandfather Bernard and father William were also served as part of the state police. Trooper Grace’s recruit school (116th in 1998) was exactly 100 recruit schools after his grandfather joined (16th in 1935). While at the Brighton post, Grace has served  undercover with MSP’s fugitive team and has worked as a first aid instructor, field training officer and Brighton post trooper investigator.

Editor's note: This column was updated May 6 to reflect whom the correct author was. Sgt. Mark Thompson writes the column.