At a breakdown, address people’s safety and traffic hazards before costs or delivery schedules. These checklists prepare you to communicate; they do not replace directions from responders. Official sources consulted: October 13, 2026.
Official guidance: CHP identifies threats to life or property, crashes and vehicles obstructing the road as reasons for emergency assistance. Mobile location information may be inaccurate. Give the highway, direction, nearest exit or mile marker and whether you are blocking traffic. CHP emergency guidance
Practical steps: Describe the immediate hazard: injuries, vehicle position, smoke, fire or a leak. Do not walk into traffic for photographs or keep trying to drive an obviously unsafe vehicle to meet a delivery. Whether to remain in the cab or move to a safer place depends on traffic, vehicle position, smoke or fire and responder instructions. Neither “always get out” nor “always stay inside” is a universal answer.
Useful phrase: “My truck is disabled on [highway], [direction], near [exit]. It is [on the shoulder / blocking a lane].” “我的卡车在［公路］［方向］、靠近［出口］抛锚，目前［在路肩／占着一条车道］。”
The checklists and phrases are teaching examples. Forum repair shortcuts and individual anecdotes are not presented as general rules. Refer injuries, hazardous cargo, liability disputes and clearance to operate to the appropriate professionals.
来源 / Sources
California DMV SR-1 CHP emergency guidance CHP Freeway Service Patrol