What to do in the event of a breakdown
If you should breakdown, the safety of you, your passengers and other motorists is a top priority. The first thing you should do is pull as far over to the side of the road as you can and put your hazard lights on.
If you are travelling alone, be careful about accepting help from strangers. If a stranger has offered assistance and you feel uncomfortable, get back into your car, lock the doors, honk your horn and flash your lights to attract attention.
Breaking down on a regular road
If you cannot get your car started again, use your mobile phone to call for help. Here are a few tips on what to do while you are waiting for help to arrive.
- Park on the side of the road if possible and turn on your hazard lights
- If you have a high visibility vest, wear it
- Place your warning triangle about 45 metres behind your car
- Do not sit in the car while you wait for assistance. Wait away from your car and the traffic but close enough so that you can see when the car rescue service arrives.
Breaking down at Night
Breaking down at night puts you at higher risk because motorists are less likely to see you in the dark.
If you cannot get your car started again, here are a few tips on what to do while you are waiting for help to arrive.
- Pull as far over to the side of the road as you can and keep your sidelights or park lights on
- If you have a high visibility vest put it on and place your warning triangle about 45 metres behind your car
- Whatever you do, do not get between your car lights and oncoming traffic. This will make you invisible to other motorists on the road.
- Do not wait in your car for help to arrive. Wait away from your car and the traffic but close enough so that you can see when the car rescue service arrives.
It pays to be prepared and by keeping the following items in your car, a night breakdown will not seem so bleak.
- Mobile phone
- High visibility vest
- Warning triangle
- A torch with spare batteries
- Blankets
- Matches or a lighter
Breaking down on the Motorway
The speed and volume of traffic make any motorway breakdown dangerous. Here are some useful tips to keep you safe.
- Pull onto the hard shoulder and turn your hazard lights on
- Stop as close as possible to an SOS phone
- Place your warning triangle about 45 metres behind your car
- Call rescue services from the nearest SOS phone. This helps Motorway Police pinpoint your location quickly.
- If you use your mobile phone to call for help, take note of the Highway Marker Post number. This will help the car rescue service pinpoint your location.
- Do not wait in your car for help to arrive. Wait away from your car and the traffic but close enough so that you can see when the car rescue service arrives.
