What is the appropriate action to take when facing a breakdown on the highway?

When facing a breakdown on the highway, the appropriate action is to pull to the shoulder and turn on your hazard lights. This practice enhances safety by alerting other drivers that your vehicle is not operational and that they should exercise caution while passing.

Moving to the shoulder helps to keep your vehicle out of the main traffic flow, reducing the risk of collisions. The visibility provided by hazard lights indicates to other motorists that something is wrong and that they should approach with care. This is particularly critical on highways where speeds are higher and the likelihood of accidents increases.

In contrast, remaining in the vehicle without turning on hazard lights may not adequately alert other drivers to your presence, increasing the risk of an accident. Getting out of the car can expose you to potential danger from passing vehicles, while using a cellphone without proper visibility precautions could lead to dangerous situations, especially if you are not clearly visible to other drivers.