What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on Highway 401 Near London
Breaking down on the 401 is stressful. Traffic is moving fast, the shoulder feels narrow, and you're not sure what to do first. Here's exactly how to handle it — step by step.
Step 1: Get Off the Road (If You Can)
If your car is still moving, even slowly:
- Turn on your hazard lights immediately
- Signal and pull as far right as possible
- Aim for the shoulder, an off-ramp, or a rest area
- If you can't move the car, leave hazards on and stay put
Important: Do not try to push your vehicle on the 401. The speed differential between you and traffic is dangerous.
Step 2: Stay Inside Your Vehicle
This is counterintuitive — people want to get out and look at the problem. But on the 401:
- Vehicles are passing at 100–120+ km/h
- The shoulder is narrow in many sections between London and Woodstock
- Rear-end collisions on shoulders are a real risk, especially at night or in bad weather
Stay in your car with your seatbelt on. If you must exit, do so from the passenger side (away from traffic) and move well behind the guardrail.
Step 3: Call for Help
If it's an emergency (accident, injury, fire): Call 911 first.
If your car simply broke down: Call a towing service.
EMS Towing: (226) 476-4176 — We prioritize Highway 401 calls for safety. Average response time: 15–30 minutes.
OPP non-emergency: *888-310-1122 — If you need police assistance but it's not a 911 situation.
Step 4: Make Yourself Visible
While you wait:
- Keep hazard lights on
- If you have reflective triangles or flares, place them behind your vehicle (at least 30 metres back)
- Turn on your interior lights at night so approaching vehicles can see your car is occupied
- If you have a high-vis vest, put it on before exiting
Step 5: Know What Information to Have Ready
When you call for a tow, have this ready:
- Your exact location (highway direction, nearest exit or km marker)
- Vehicle description (make, model, colour, plate number)
- What happened (won't start, flat tire, overheated, accident)
- Where you want to be towed (mechanic, home, dealership)
Google Maps on your phone can give you a GPS pin to share — this helps us find you faster, especially in rural stretches between Woodstock and London.
Common 401 Breakdown Causes Near London
- Overheating — Stop-and-go traffic near Veterans Memorial Parkway exit in summer
- Flat tires — Road debris, especially near construction zones
- Dead battery — Less common on highways, but happens after long stops
- Running out of fuel — The stretch between Woodstock and London has limited gas stations
- Mechanical failure — Older vehicles and extreme cold/heat
What NOT to Do
Don't try to cross lanes of traffic on foot Don't attempt repairs on the highway shoulder (especially tire changes — it's too dangerous) Don't accept help from unmarked vehicles or people who "happen to have a tow truck" — Ontario has had issues with predatory towing Don't leave your vehicle unattended for extended periods — OPP may tow it (at your expense)
Ontario's Towing Rules on Highways
Under Ontario's towing regulations:
- Tow operators must be licensed
- They must show you ID and provide a written estimate
- You have the right to choose your own tow destination
- They cannot hold your vehicle hostage for payment
If a tow truck shows up unsolicited at your breakdown, you are not obligated to use them. You can wait for the company you called.
Be Prepared Before It Happens
Keep these in your car:
- Phone charger (battery or car charger)
- Reflective vest and triangles
- Blanket (winter breakdowns in February can be dangerous)
- Flashlight
- Tow company number saved in your phone
Save this number now: (226) 476-4176 — EMS Towing, available 24/7 for Highway 401 service between London and Woodstock.
24/7 emergency towing and roadside assistance across London, St. Thomas, Woodstock, and surrounding areas.