When your car breaks down on the highway, we understand this is a scary thing, especially when it’s never happened to you before. Don’t worry, we have a handy guide that will help you know exactly what to do if this happens to you. The first thing to do is not to panic. We get it can be alarming, but a hectic mind will not help in an emergency. Just stay calm and assess the situation so you know what to do. When your car breaks down on the highway, your priority should always be safety, here are a few easy steps to help you:
- Turn your hazards on
It’s important to make your vehicle as visible as possible, so other cars know you have broken down. - Try to move onto the shoulder
Move your car to the shoulder or nearest emergency area, if it is safe to do so. When your car is in the middle of the road, this is a hazard to you and oncoming traffic and getting out of the way is the ideal situation. - Exit the vehicle
Once your vehicle is in a safe position, make sure you and any passengers exit the vehicle, stand behind the safety barrier so you are a safe distance from traffic. - Call for help
Once you are safe, call an emergency roadside service for assistance, let them know your position, and they will come and help. If you have your mobile phone on you, you can use this to call for roadside assistance. If you don’t have your mobile phone on you, there should be an emergency phone near you on the highway that you can walk to in order to call them.
Note: If you have any pets and have a leash with you, take your pets along with you to the side of the road behind the barrier. If you do not have a leash leave them in the vehicle to avoid them running onto the road.
- Don’t attempt repairs
We know it’s tempting if you know what you are doing, but attempting repairs on the highway puts you at risk. Wait for the emergency roadside service to arrive, so they can do this for you.
If you have a disability that restricts you from following these steps, don’t worry, stay in your car with your seatbelt on, turn your hazard lights on and contact the roadside emergency services or breakdown services so they can come and help you.
If you are unable to move your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt and hazards on and call the roadside emergency services.
Once your vehicle has been repaired, you can now rejoin the highway carefully and continue in the flow of traffic. Wait for a safe gap and slowly pick up speed to meet the flow of traffic. If your vehicle is unable to be repaired, the roadside emergency services will help you leave the highway safely.
If you do break down on the highway or anywhere else, we are your go-to breakdown services. Give us a ring and we will be there to help you!
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