Minute 1 — Get off the road if you can. Coast to a shoulder, off-ramp, parking lot. The difference between travel lane and shoulder is high-risk vs. routine.
Minute 2 — Engage hazards and stabilize. Hazard lights on immediately. Deploy flares or triangles 50–100 feet behind. Park, parking brake, wheels away from traffic.
Minute 3 — Stay in or exit safely. High-speed highway with narrow shoulder: stay buckled inside. Wide shoulder or low-speed road: exit on the side facing away from traffic.
Minute 4 — Locate yourself precisely. Open maps, screenshot location, note mile marker or cross street.
Minute 5 — Call. Have ready: location, vehicle make/model/year, problem, safety concerns. Call efficiently — the dispatcher needs the info.