Breakdown safety
Breakdowns can happen for any number of reasons, for example, flat or faulty batteries, flat tyres, engine issues and fuel issues.
Being prepared can help avoid breakdown situations, and knowing what to do if you breakdown can help keep you, your passengers, and other motorists safe.
High speed road environments such as highways and motorways are dangerous, so if possible, it is important to try to exit these environments and move as far away from traffic as possible.
Check out the Breakdown Safety Glovebox Guide (PDF, 2.18 MB) for detailed steps about what to do if you breakdown.
What to do if you break down
- Make every attempt to exit the highway / motorway if possible. As soon as you realise your vehicle is going to break down, exit the highway environment. You will be much safer waiting for assistance in a lower speed environment.
If this is not possible, pull your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road, or if no shoulder exists, as far away from traffic as possible.
- Turn your vehicle hazard lights on so motorists can see you have broken down (if at night leave parking lights on as well).
- Once you have pulled over safely:
- Turn your wheels away from traffic.
- If safe, pop your bonnet to show passing motorists that you have broken down.
- Check the surrounding environment – if safe, exit your vehicle. Driver and any passengers should exit through the passenger side of the vehicle (away from traffic) and move behind a barrier or as far away from traffic as possible.
- If not safe to exit your vehicle, ensure all driver and passenger seat belts are securely fastened.
- Call your roadside assistance provider or 13 19 40 from your mobile phone and advise of your location.
- If you don’t have a mobile phone and it isn’t safe to walk to a telephone, stay with your car and wait for help. Do not walk along highways / motorways.
Watch the video to see these steps in action:
Show/hide transcript
Video transcript
Breakdowns can be dangerous.
On a motorway, they can be terrifying.
So if it happens to you, here are some safety tips.
Activate your car’s hazard lights, limp to an exit if possible, or pull your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road as far away as possible.
Turn the wheels away from traffic and stop the vehicle.
Check you are clear of traffic.
When safe, release your seat belt, grab your phone, and safety vest if you have one, and exit to the left.
Move to a safe location and call your roadside assistance provider or 13 19 40.
If you don’t have a mobile phone and it isn’t safe to walk to a telephone, stay with your car and wait for help.
Do not walk along highways and do not attempt repairs.
It’s not worth the risk.
Pre-trip checks
While some breakdowns are unavoidable, there are ways in which you can prepare for trips to help reduce the chance of breaking down:
- Keep vehicles well-maintained and full of fuel.
- Ensure mobile phones are charged, and you have enough credit to make a phone call.
- Download the ‘Emergency +’ smartphone app.
- Keep a high-visibility vest and torch in your vehicle.
- Save roadside assistance contacts in your mobile phone.
- Keep a copy of the Breakdown Safety Glovebox Guide (PDF, 2.18 MB) in your car.
Watch the video to see these steps in action:
Show/hide transcript
Video transcript
Breaking down can be dangerous.
Don’t let this happen to you.
Maintenance helps avoid breakdowns.
Check when your car’s service is due.
Check your fuel level.
Check the engine. Is it right for oil and is it right for coolant?
Regularly check your tyre pressures, and don’t forget the spare.
Be prepared.
Carry a charged mobile phone.
Have roadside assist in your contacts.
Keep a high-vis vest and a torch in the car.
Just a little preparation will help avoid this.
What to do if you see a breakdown
There are a number of ways you can help fellow motorists if you see them broken down:
- Look out for the signs of a broken down vehicle, which include hazard lights and a popped bonnet.
- If you think they need assistance, call 13 19 40 to report the breakdown and location.
- Don’t stop or pull over to assist as this can be dangerous.
- Move over and slow down as you pass a broken down vehicle.
*
indicates required fields
Page feedback
We want the information on this website to be the best it can be and we know we can't do this without you. Let us know what you thought of this page and if there is other information you were expecting to find.
Do you have a question or request for assistance
Contact us if you have a question or require assistance with a Transport and Main Roads service.
Please note that we do not reply to feedback submitted via this form.
Contact (optional)