Car Broke Down on I-10 in Baton Rouge? What to Do Right Now
It is rush hour on I-10 and traffic is moving the way it always does: quickly, and with no patience. Then your car decides it has done enough for the day.
Short answer: turn on your hazard lights, get as far from traffic as you safely can, and call for help. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or you feel unsafe. For towing or roadside help in Baton Rouge, call (225) 612-8725, any time, day or night.
What should you do first when your car breaks down on I-10?
Safety comes first here. Take these steps in order.
- Turn on your hazard lights right away.
- Take your foot off the gas and let the car slow down. Brake gently.
- Steer to the right shoulder, as far from the traffic lanes as you can.
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if you see smoke or fire, or if you feel unsafe.
- Note where you are: the nearest exit number, mile marker or cross street.
- Call a towing or roadside service and give them that location.
Should you stay in the car or get out?
It depends on where you stopped. The table below is a general guide. Use your judgment, and call 911 if you are unsure.
| Your situation | What is usually safest |
|---|---|
| You could not reach the shoulder and cars are passing close | Stay inside with your seat belt on and hazard lights on, and call 911 |
| You are on a wide shoulder, well off the lanes | Stay in the car with your seat belt on, or wait well away from the road if you can do so safely |
| There is smoke, fire or a fuel smell | Get everyone out on the side away from traffic, move well away, and call 911 |
| It is dark or raining and visibility is poor | Stay inside with hazard lights on and keep the interior light on |
Never stand between your car and moving traffic, and never try to cross the interstate on foot.
What should you avoid after a breakdown on the interstate?
- Do not try to fix the car yourself on the shoulder, especially with your back to traffic.
- Do not accept help from strangers who stop and offer to tow you. Wait for a service you called.
- Do not walk along the interstate to look for a gas station or an exit.
- Do not let children or pets out of the car onto the shoulder.
- Do not wait long before calling. The sooner help knows where you are, the sooner it can reach you.
What should you tell the tow or roadside service?
- Which road you are on and which direction you are heading.
- The nearest exit number, mile marker or cross street.
- The make, model and color of your vehicle.
- What happened, for example a dead battery, a flat tire or an empty tank.
- How many people are with you and whether anyone needs medical help.
What can roadside help do for you?
Many breakdowns can be fixed on the spot. Our roadside assistance in Baton Rouge covers jump starts, tire changes, fuel delivery and lockouts. If the car cannot be fixed, we offer towing in Baton Rouge, from light-duty to heavy-duty.
How can you get ready before a breakdown happens?
You cannot predict a breakdown, but a few habits make a bad day easier.
- Save the number of a towing and roadside service in your phone before you need it.
- Keep your phone charged, and keep a car charger in the glove box.
- Keep a flashlight and warning triangles in the trunk if you have room.
- Keep water in the car. Summers in Louisiana are hot, and waiting is easier with something to drink.
- Know your vehicle details, such as make, model and color, so you can say them quickly.
- Do not let the tank run low, especially before a long drive on the interstate.
In Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish
Baton Rouge drivers rely on I-10, I-12 and I-110 every day, along with roads like Airline Highway, Florida Boulevard and Perkins Road. Before you head out, check current road conditions and incidents on the Louisiana 511 traffic site. For local services, see the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge.
Jayme Timely Roadside Service has served Baton Rouge since 2013 and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I-10 breakdown questions
Is it safe to wait on the shoulder of I-10?
Shoulders are close to fast traffic. Stay in the car with your seat belt on unless there is smoke, fire or another danger, and call for help.
Should I call 911 or a tow company?
Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if there is fire or smoke, or if you feel unsafe. For a breakdown with no danger, call a towing or roadside service.
What if I run out of gas on the interstate?
Do the same safety steps, then call for help. We deliver diesel, regular and premium fuel.
Do you help with breakdowns at night?
Yes. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (225) 612-8725.
How do I describe my location if I do not see a sign?
Give the road, your direction of travel and the last exit you passed. A nearby business or overpass also helps.
Broken down in Baton Rouge? Call us
Call (225) 612-8725 any time, day or night, or send the quote form. See all our services on the home page.