I agree. It was dangerous to be on the berm even before cell phones. In those rare cases when I find myself there, I have my attention paid on the on-comming traffic at all spare moments. It’s not the place to be if you can ever help it.
The last time I had a flat on the freeway it was a mile to the next exit. I just kept on driving. The tire was destroyed, the steel rim was still usable, I was able to change the wheel where it was safe.