It’s the kind of situation that makes anyone’s heart race: you’re cruising down the highway, maybe singing along to your favourite song, when suddenly—your car sputters, loses power, and rolls to a stop. Not ideal, especially with traffic flying past at 100km/h. But don’t panic. If your car breaks down on the highway, there is a safe and smart way to handle it.
As a tow truck company, we’ve helped countless drivers in these situations, and we know how nerve-wracking it can be. So here’s a calm, friendly guide on what to do, step by step.
First, Stay Calm and Get to Safety
If you notice something’s wrong—like strange noises, dashboard warning lights, or your engine losing power—signal and start moving toward the far-left shoulder right away. Don’t wait for the car to stop completely. Even if it’s just a suspicion, it’s better to pull over early than to stall in the middle lane.
Use your indicators and slowly exit the flow of traffic. If you can, aim for an emergency stopping bay. If not, the left-hand shoulder or grass verge is your safest bet.
And whatever you do, never try to push your car across a busy highway.
Turn On Your Hazard Lights
Once you’re safely off the road, hit those hazard lights. This lets other drivers know you’re not just pulled over to check your phone. It’s especially important if it’s dark, raining, or visibility is low.
Hazards are your first line of defence in letting others know, “Hey, I’m stuck here. Please give me space.”
Stay Inside Unless It’s Unsafe
This surprises a lot of people—but in most situations, the safest place is inside your vehicle, with your seatbelt on. Getting out on a highway, even to check the engine or call for help, can be dangerous unless you’re well off the road.
The only exception? If your car is in a dangerous spot—like close to traffic or stopped around a blind curve. In that case, exit carefully on the passenger side and move well away from the road.
Use a Warning Triangle If You Have One
If you’ve got a reflective triangle in the boot (they often come with roadside kits), place it around 50-100 metres behind your vehicle—only if it’s safe to do so. It gives drivers extra warning and adds a bit of visibility beyond your hazard lights.
Again, only do this if you won’t be stepping into traffic.
Call for Roadside Help or a Tow Truck
Once you’re safe, it’s time to sort out the recovery. Whether you’ve got roadside assistance through your insurance, a membership like RACV, or you want to call a local towing service directly—make the call as soon as you can.
Give the operator your exact location. Use a highway marker post, your GPS, or the nearest exit number. The more accurate, the quicker someone can reach you.
Friendly tip from the field:
We’ve had customers say things like, “I’m near that big gumtree past the bridge.” Not very helpful when we’re trying to find you in a hurry. Be as specific as possible!
Don’t Try to Fix It on the Shoulder
This isn’t the place to pop the bonnet and start wrenching. Even if you think it’s a quick fix, the highway is no place for roadside repairs—especially with traffic flying by just metres away.
Leave the spanners in the boot and wait for professional help. That’s what we’re here for.
Stay Visible and Keep Your Phone Charged
If your phone battery is running low, plug it into your car charger if your car still has power. Otherwise, switch to low-power mode to keep communication open until help arrives.
Keep your doors locked and be cautious if strangers stop to help. Most people mean well, but you’re better off waiting for someone official—like a tow truck operator or roadside assistance team.
Let Someone Know What’s Happening
If you’re travelling alone or late at night, send a quick message to a friend or family member with your location and the situation. It’s always good to have someone else aware of where you are.
Preventative Tip: Don’t Wait for Trouble
Car breakdowns aren’t always predictable, but many can be avoided. If you’ve been hearing odd noises, ignoring a warning light, or putting off a service—consider this a friendly nudge. Staying on top of your car’s maintenance is the best way to avoid getting stuck in the first place.
We once picked up a driver who said, “Yeah, the engine light’s been on for about a month. Thought it’d go away.” It didn’t. And it cost him more than just the tow.
Breaking down on the highway isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. But if you handle it calmly, focus on safety, and know who to call, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. We’re always just a phone call away—and honestly, we’d rather meet you on the shoulder than see you try to fix things in the middle lane.
If you are in Glenroy, and looking for a nearby towing service, this is the best way to visit us.
Reservoir Towing
58 Anstey Ave, Reservoir VIC 3073
(03) 7046 4990
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