Get off the road
Turn on the hazard lights as soon as something feels wrong, before the car has even stopped. Let it slow and steer for the nearest shoulder. That's usually the right shoulder. Some DFW freeways also have a left shoulder along the median or the managed lanes, and it's an option when you can't safely cross traffic to reach the right one.
Stop as far from the traffic lane as you can, turn the wheels away from the road, and set the parking brake. In a work zone with barriers on both sides, a slow crawl on the shoulder to a clear spot beats stopping in a lane, if the car allows it.
Stay in the car or get out
Where you wait depends on the shoulder. If it's wide and there's a barrier or guardrail you can stand behind, well away from the road, get everyone out on the side away from traffic. If the shoulder is narrow, staying belted inside the car, with the hazards on, is often safer than standing beside fast traffic.
If you can't get out of a lane, or anyone is hurt, call 911. Don't try to flag down passing drivers, and don't accept a ride from a stranger.
Keep children buckled in the car until you've decided where everyone will wait. Fast traffic and hot asphalt are a bad mix for small children, and for a dog on a leash.
Who to call
On an NTTA toll road, dial #999. NTTA describes its roadside help as free. On the LBJ and North Tarrant Express TEXpress lanes the number is #789. For everyone else, call your insurer's or car maker's roadside number if you have one, or a private service like ours.
There are also free sheriff-run patrols on many DFW highways. We have a separate guide on those and what they do and don't cover.
What to tell dispatch
Whoever you call, the first thing they need is where you are:
- The road and direction, such as southbound I-35E.
- The nearest exit, cross street or mile marker, which you can usually see on a green sign.
- Whether you're on the left or right shoulder.
- What happened: a flat, a car that won't start, a warning light, smoke.
- The year, make and model and the color.
What TRA can and can't do
TRA can put on your spare, which is from $75, or jump a dead battery, which is $49–$75, each plus a $19 dispatch fee charged once per job. Arrival averages 30 minutes, with the actual time set by your location and the traffic. We text or call when the driver is on the way.
We don't tow and we don't repair engines. If the car overheated, lost power or has a failed transmission, you'll need a tow company.
Common questions
A shoulder is there for emergencies and breakdowns. Pull as far over as you can, and call for help right away.
Only if you can do it from a safe spot. Staying clear of the roadway matters more than showing the hood is up. The hazard lights already say you're stopped.
Stay with the car and keep trying. Phones can usually place a 911 call over any available network, even when your own carrier shows no bars.