Breakdown Safety 101: What to Do on Australian Highways vs. Country Roads
When your car breaks down in Australia, safety depends on your location. On highways and freeways, exit from the passenger side, get behind a safety barrier, and never attempt roadside repairs in live traffic lanes. On rural and country roads, stay with your vehicle — it provides shelter, shade, and is visible to rescuers. Turn on hazard lights immediately in both situations and call roadside assistance for mechanical issues or 000 only for immediate threats to life.
The engine sputters, the steering gets heavy, or a tyre blows out. Panic sets in. What you do in the next 60 seconds is critical for your safety.
The right advice depends entirely on where you are. The safety protocols for a breakdown on the M1 Motorway in Sydney are dangerously different from a breakdown on a dirt road in the Northern Territory. This guide clarifies the confusion and gives you a clear action plan for both scenarios.
Breaking Down on a Motorway or Freeway
High-speed environments (100km/h+) are incredibly dangerous for stationary vehicles. Follow these steps to stay safe.
1. The Exit Rule
If your vehicle can still move, do everything possible to get it into an emergency stopping lane or a breakdown bay. Never stop in a live traffic lane unless the vehicle is completely immobilised.
2. Positioning
Park as far to the left as possible. Turn your wheels away from the road. If your car is struck from behind, the angle of the wheels will direct it into the barrier or verge, rather than pushing it forward into you or traffic.
3. The Passenger Side Exit
If there is a safety barrier, exit the vehicle immediately from the passenger side (left side). Never open the driver's door into traffic. Move behind the safety barrier and stand well upstream of your car (towards the oncoming traffic direction).
4. When to Stay Inside
If there is no barrier, or it is unsafe to exit (for example, in a tunnel or on a bridge), stay in the car with your seatbelt fastened. This is your best protection if the car is hit. Turn on hazard lights and parking lights immediately.
5. Call for Professional Help
Do not attempt to change a tyre on the traffic side of a highway. It is lethal. Call roadside assistance or a tow truck. Understanding stopping distances at highway speeds will help you appreciate why this rule exists — a car travelling at 110km/h needs over 100 metres to stop, and drivers may not see you in time.
Breaking Down on Rural or Country Roads
In the country, the risks shift from high-speed impact to isolation and environmental exposure.
1. Visibility is Survival
Country roads are often narrow with soft shoulders. Try to stop on a straight stretch of road. Avoid stopping just over a crest or around a blind bend where oncoming traffic cannot see you until it is too late.
2. Stay With Your Vehicle
This is the golden rule of the Outback. A car is a large, metallic object that is visible from the air and reflects sunlight. A human is small and hard to see. The car provides shade, shelter from wind, and protection from wildlife. Only leave if you can clearly see a house or emergency phone nearby.
3. Self-Rescue with the Right Tools
In rural areas, you might wait hours for a passerby. This is where self-reliance tools like the Boost N' Inflate become vital. If the issue is a flat battery or a tyre puncture you can repair, being able to fix it yourself means you can drive to the next town rather than waiting in the heat.
Universal Rules for All Breakdowns
Hazard Lights: Turn them on immediately when you realise there is a problem.
High-Vis Vest: Put it on before exiting the vehicle if you have one in your emergency kit.
000: Only call Triple Zero for immediate threats to life — your car is on fire, you are blocking a lane causing imminent crash risk, or someone is injured.
Roadside Assist: Call your roadside assistance provider for standard mechanical issues like flat batteries or tyres.
Having a complete roadside emergency kit prepared means you may not need to call anyone at all.
Be Your Own Rescue
The Boost N' Inflate Pro with 3000A peak power can jump start even large diesel 4WDs and inflate tyres to get you moving again — no tow truck wait required.
The Key Difference That Could Save Your Life
Breakdowns are stressful, but panic is the enemy. By knowing the distinct rules for highways (get out and behind a barrier) versus country roads (stay with the vehicle), you can manage the situation safely.
Equip your car with the right tools from your emergency kit checklist, and always prioritise your life over the vehicle. A car can be replaced — you cannot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my car breaks down on a highway in Australia?
If your car breaks down on a highway, try to coast to an emergency stopping lane or breakdown bay. Park as far left as possible with wheels turned away from traffic. If there is a safety barrier, exit from the passenger side and stand behind it, upstream of your vehicle. If there is no barrier or it is unsafe to exit, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened and hazard lights on. Never attempt roadside repairs on the traffic side of a highway.
Should I stay with my car if it breaks down in the Outback?
Yes, always stay with your vehicle in remote areas. Your car provides shade, shelter from wind, and protection from wildlife. It is also much easier for rescuers to spot a car than a person on foot. Only leave your vehicle if you can clearly see a house or emergency phone nearby. Carry at least 5 litres of water per person per day in remote areas.
When should I call 000 vs roadside assistance for a breakdown?
Only call Triple Zero (000) for immediate threats to life — if your car is on fire, you are blocking a lane and causing imminent crash risk, or someone is injured. For standard mechanical issues like flat batteries, flat tyres, or engine problems, call your roadside assistance provider. Having an emergency kit with a jump starter and tyre repair equipment can often resolve the issue without needing to call anyone.
Why is it dangerous to change a tyre on a highway?
Changing a tyre on the traffic side of a highway is extremely dangerous because vehicles travelling at 110km/h need over 100 metres to stop. Drivers may not see you in time, especially at night or in poor weather. The risk of being struck by a passing vehicle far outweighs the inconvenience of waiting for professional help. Always call roadside assistance for highway tyre changes.
What emergency equipment should I carry for breakdowns?
Essential breakdown equipment includes a portable jump starter with tyre inflator, tyre repair kit, high-visibility vest, torch with spare batteries, water (5L per person per day for remote travel), first aid kit, and a UHF radio for areas without mobile coverage. A device like the Boost N' Inflate handles the two most common breakdown causes — dead batteries and flat tyres.
How do I make my car visible during a breakdown?
Turn on your hazard lights immediately. At night, keep your parking lights on as well. If you have a high-visibility vest, put it on before exiting the vehicle. Position warning triangles behind your vehicle if you have them and it is safe to place them. On country roads, try to stop on a straight stretch where approaching drivers can see you from a distance.
Related Reading
The Ultimate Australian Roadside Emergency Kit Checklist
Stopping Distances in Australia: The 110km/h Wet vs Dry Reality Check
The Ultimate Family Road Trip Safety Checklist for Remote Australia
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix a Flat Tyre with a Repair Kit