Utah Winter Roadside Emergencies: What to Do

Why Utah Winters Are Especially Dangerous for Drivers

Utah experiences some of the most variable winter driving conditions in the western United States. The Wasatch Front can go from clear roads to 10 inches of snow in under two hours. Temperature swings from +45°F to -10°F are common during the same week in January. Add to that the treacherous canyon roads — Emigration, Parley's, Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood — and you have a recipe for serious roadside emergencies.

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) responds to thousands of winter incidents each year. In 2025, UDOT handled over 11,000 winter-related incidents on I-15 alone between November and March. Knowing what to do before something happens is critical.

Step-by-Step: What to Do When You Break Down in Winter

Step 1: Get Off the Roadway

Your first priority is to move your vehicle out of traffic. In snowy conditions, visibility is reduced and stopping distances are much longer. Even if you're on the freeway in a blizzard, try to:

• Take the nearest exit if possible
• Pull onto the shoulder as far right as possible
• If you must stop on a bridge or in a tunnel, get to the edge immediately
• Never stop in a travel lane unless the vehicle is completely inoperable

On canyon roads: Look for pullouts — they exist for exactly this reason. Big Cottonwood and Parleys Canyon have designated pullout areas. Use them.

Step 2: Make Yourself Visible

Turn on your hazard lights immediately. If you have them, set up road flares or reflective triangles behind your vehicle — at least 200 feet back in poor visibility conditions. In heavy snow, even hazards may not be visible from far away, so the more warning you give other drivers, the better.

• Keep a bright-colored cloth (orange or yellow) to tie to your antenna or door handle
• Turn on your interior cabin light at night so rescuers can see someone is inside
• Do NOT stand outside the vehicle on a busy road or highway — stay inside

Step 3: Call for Help

Once you're safely off the road, call for assistance:

• 911: If you're in immediate danger — medical emergency, unsafe location, carbon monoxide risk
• Utah Highway Patrol: *UHP (*847) from your cell phone for non-emergency roadway assists
• UDOT: 511 for road conditions and to report an incident
• Tow truck: Use the National Tow Connect directory to find a verified 24/7 tow service near your location
• AAA: 1-800-222-4357 if you're a member

Give dispatchers your exact location. On I-15, use mile markers. On canyon roads, describe landmarks. Many smartphones can share your GPS coordinates — send them in a text.

Step 4: Stay Warm Without Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

This is where people make fatal mistakes. Running your car engine for warmth is safe — but only if your exhaust pipe is clear of snow. Here's the correct procedure:

1. Check the exhaust pipe before running the engine. If snow has packed around it, clear it first.
2. Run the engine in intervals: 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. This conserves fuel and reduces CO risk.
3. Crack a window slightly on the downwind side to allow air circulation.
4. If you smell exhaust inside the car or feel dizzy, exit the vehicle immediately and get fresh air.

Also use these strategies to stay warm while waiting:

• Put on every layer of clothing you have
• Use floor mats as insulation under your feet
• Huddle with passengers under any available blankets or coats
• Eat snack food if available — your body generates heat digesting food
• Stay awake — falling asleep in extreme cold is dangerous

Step 5: Wait for Help to Arrive

Stay in your vehicle unless it becomes dangerous (fire, carbon monoxide). Your car provides shelter from wind and is far more visible to rescue workers than a person standing on a snowy roadway.

What to do while you wait:

• Keep your phone charged — turn down screen brightness to conserve battery
• Periodically clear snow from your roof and windows so you remain visible
• Let someone (family, friend) know your location and expected ETA so they can alert authorities if you go missing
• Check in with the tow company periodically — they can give you an updated ETA

Winter Roadside Emergency Kit: What to Keep in Your Utah Car

Utah emergency management officials recommend keeping this kit in your vehicle from October through April:

Common Utah Winter Breakdown Scenarios

Dead Battery in the Cold

Car batteries lose roughly 35% of their power at 32°F and up to 60% at 0°F. Utah's overnight lows frequently hit single digits in January and February — enough to kill an older battery overnight. If your car won't start in the morning, try these steps before calling a tow:

1. Let the car sit in "key on" position for 60 seconds before turning the ignition (warms the fuel injectors)
2. Jump start using cables or a jump pack
3. If the battery won't hold a charge after jumping, call for roadside assistance

Tip: Get your battery tested every fall at any auto parts store — it's free and takes 5 minutes.

Stuck in Snow (Off the Road)

If you slide off the road into a snow bank or ditch:

• Don't spin your tires — you'll dig in deeper
• Try rocking the car (drive/reverse in alternating pulses)
• Place traction mats, floor mats, or sand under the drive wheels
• If none of that works, call a tow — specifically ask for a winch recovery

Recovery tows from ditches and snow banks in Utah typically cost $150–$300 depending on how buried the vehicle is.

Flat Tire in Snow

Changing a tire in a snowstorm on the side of I-15 is extremely dangerous. If safe to do so, try to drive slowly to an exit or pullout — a flat tire can be driven on at low speeds without causing permanent damage in most cases. Call roadside assistance if you cannot safely change the tire yourself.

Overheating Engine in Cold Weather

Counterintuitively, engines can overheat in winter if coolant levels are low or the thermostat fails. If your temperature gauge spikes:

• Pull over and turn off the engine immediately
• Do NOT open the radiator cap — it will be under pressure and can cause burns
• Let the engine cool for 30+ minutes before checking fluid levels
• Call a tow truck if you're unsure

Canyon Road Breakdowns: Special Considerations

Breaking down on Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, Emigration, or Parleys Canyon requires extra caution:

• Cell service is spotty — call before you lose signal or use an emergency SOS feature (available on most modern smartphones)
• Canyon closures: UDOT sometimes closes canyons during heavy snow — tow trucks may be delayed or unable to access your location until the road is cleared
• Avalanche zones: Do not stand outside near canyon walls during heavy snow
• Narrow pullouts: Canyon pullouts are limited — use them strategically and stay as far from traffic as possible

Check UDOT's 511 travel info before heading into any Wasatch canyon in winter.

Finding Roadside Help in Utah in Winter

When you need a tow in winter conditions, response time matters. Use the National Tow Connect directory to find verified towing companies sorted by service area — many offer 24/7 winter emergency response throughout Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties.

Looking for towing in a specific Utah city?

• Salt Lake City towing
• Provo and Utah County towing
• Ogden and Weber County towing
• Park City area towing

Don't Get Caught Unprepared

The best winter roadside emergency is the one you prevent. Before heading out in bad weather:

• Check UDOT 511 for road conditions
• Ensure your vehicle's battery, tires, coolant, and wipers are winter-ready
• Tell someone your route and expected arrival time
• Save a local tow number in your phone before you need it