If your car breaks down on I-77 between Charlotte and Lake Norman, the first few minutes matter most. The steps below keep you safe until help arrives. They come from StrictLee Towing, LLC, a family-owned towing company in Huntersville, NC.
1. Get as far off the road as you can
Signal, slow down and steer onto the right shoulder. If you can reach an exit ramp or a wide shoulder, keep going until you do. The farther you are from moving traffic, the safer you are. Turn on your hazard lights as soon as you know you are stopping.
2. Decide whether to stay in the car
On an interstate shoulder, staying in the car with your seat belt on is usually safer than standing beside it. Get out only if the car is smoking, on fire or in a spot where it could be hit, and then move well away from traffic, behind a guardrail if there is one. Never stand between your car and the travel lanes.
3. Call for help
- Someone is hurt or the car is blocking a lane: call 911.
- You need the Highway Patrol: dial *HP (*47) from a cell phone in North Carolina.
- You need a tow or roadside help: call StrictLee Towing at (980) 474-7069.
4. Tell the tow company exactly where you are
Give the highway, the direction you were traveling (northbound or southbound on I-77) and the last exit number or mile marker you passed. Green mile markers on the shoulder are the fastest way to pin down a location. Then describe the vehicle and what happened: will not start, flat tire, out of gas or an accident.
5. Know that other drivers must move over
North Carolina’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over a lane, or slow down if they cannot, for stopped emergency vehicles and tow trucks with flashing lights. Even so, stay alert while the truck is loading your car.
6. Ask whether the problem can be fixed on the spot
A dead battery, an empty tank, a flat tire or keys locked inside can often be handled on the shoulder with a jumpstart, fuel delivery, a spare tire or a lockout service. That gets you moving again without a tow. If the car does need a tow, StrictLee uses a flatbed (rollback) truck, so all four wheels ride on the bed.
Frequently asked questions
Which I-77 exits are near Huntersville?
Huntersville’s main I-77 exits are Gilead Road (Exit 23) and NC-73/Sam Furr Road (Exit 25). Cornelius is at Exit 28 (Catawba Avenue) and Davidson at Exit 30.
How do I pay for a tow?
StrictLee Towing quotes every job by phone first and takes cash or credit card. Checks are not accepted.
Which areas does StrictLee Towing serve?
Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, Concord and Charlotte. See the towing FAQ for more answers.
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