One of the most common fears among anxious drivers is a panic attack on the highway — the sense that you can't stop, can't get off, and are trapped at speed. It's a frightening experience, and it's worth having a plan before it happens. This post covers the practical safety steps and the legal question people often ask: can I get a ticket for stopping?
If you experience panic attacks while driving, please talk with a doctor or licensed mental-health professional. This post is about getting off the road safely and the traffic-law side, not treatment.
First: you almost always have more control than it feels like
Panic attacks peak and fade — typically within minutes — even though they feel endless. Your car, on the other hand, still responds exactly as it did a moment ago. You don't need to "push through"; your only job is to get to a safe place to stop.
A safe-stop plan
- Don't brake hard or swerve. Ease off the accelerator and check your mirrors.
- Turn on your hazard lights so drivers behind you know you're slowing.
- Move toward the right-hand lane gradually (signal, check blind spot).
- Prefer an exit, rest area, or parking lot over the shoulder whenever one is reachable. A shoulder is the last resort, not the first choice.
- If you must use the shoulder: pull as far right as safely possible, park, hazards on, and stay buckled. Many safety agencies advise staying in the car with the belt on on a busy highway rather than standing next to traffic — a vehicle on the shoulder can be struck.
- Once stopped, breathe. Slow breaths in through the nose, longer out through the mouth. Name five things you can see. Wait until the symptoms have passed and your hands are steady before driving on.
- Call someone if it helps — a friend, a family member, a roadside service.
Can you get a ticket for stopping on the shoulder?
Rules vary by state, but in general:
- Most states restrict stopping, standing or parking on controlled-access highways except in an emergency or breakdown, and some also allow it for medical or safety reasons.
- Officers have discretion. Someone who's visibly in distress with hazards on is very different from someone who's parked to check their phone.
- Violations that sometimes arise in this situation: stopping on the shoulder or highway, impeding traffic, or (if you stopped in a travel lane) obstructing the roadway. A genuine medical or safety emergency can be a defense or reason for dismissal, but the details depend on your state and the facts.
If an officer stops to check on you, keep it simple: tell them calmly that you felt unwell and pulled over to stay safe. You don't need to explain your medical history. Be honest, polite and brief.
If you do receive a citation
Don't assume the worst, and don't just pay it out of embarrassment. Write down the details right away — location, time, what was happening, whether your hazards were on, what you told the officer — and read the options for your state. A short, well-documented explanation (and any medical note from your doctor, if you have one) can matter. We explain the full process in The First 48 Hours After a Ticket.
Reduce the odds of it happening again
- Choose routes with frequent exits while you rebuild confidence.
- Drive during off-peak hours at first.
- Keep water in the car and your phone mounted for hands-free calls.
- Consider asking a trusted passenger to ride along on the first longer trips.
Zigpon explains your options for any ticket in your state — free, in plain English. Start here →
Educational information only — not legal or medical advice. Stopping and parking laws on highways differ by state; verify with your state DMV or an attorney. In an emergency, call 911.