If a car breakdown happens, it pays to have a reaction plan in place to take the weight out of what can be a highly stressful setting. A good starting point is to be aware of the dos and don’ts of handling it.

Here are some of the things you should and shouldn’t do if you find yourself in this situation.

Keep calm: Try not to panic if you are having car trouble on the road. Instead, safely pull over to the side of the road and out of traffic. Ideally, aim for the left shoulder of the road and park with your front wheels turned to the left. In the rare case that your car is struck by another, it will move further into the shoulder rather than into moving traffic.  

Make sure it’s safe to exit: Firstly, turn on your hazard lights. Assess your surroundings. Assess whether you can be safely seen before exiting the car. In some cases, such as in heavy motorway traffic or on narrow road shoulders, it may be safer to remain inside the car. 

Make your vehicle visible: Once you have deemed it safe to get out of the car, you should place a hazard cone/triangle behind the vehicle. These are especially handy on busy roads and in situations where visibility is low. If it’s dark, turn on your interior light to make your car more visible. 

Assess your vehicle: Check for dashboard warning lights which might indicate why your car has broken down. Look for danger signs. If there are signs of smoke or flames, move away to a safe place a distance from the car. 

Call for help: When you are safe, use your mobile phone or an emergency roadside telephone to call for roadside assistance. If it is an emergency, call 000.

Stop in the middle of the road: The moment you notice there is something wrong with your car, immediately turn your hazard lights on and begin to move to the side of the road. It is dangerous to come to a complete stop in the middle of the road. 

Attempt repairs: Aside from the above-mentioned basic vehicle assessment, do not try to fix your car. It is better to call on an experienced mechanic who has the right tools and equipment. If the repair is temporary, be sure to arrange a permanent fix as soon as you can. 

Abandon your vehicle: Stay inside your car or near it until help arrives. If you are feeling unsafe but your car is in a safe position, stay in your car with the windows up and the door locked until help arrives. Leaving your car could place it at risk of theft or vandalism. There’s a chance it may even get towed away, which could result in added expense. 

Stand in the road: It is unsafe to be in or near the road as other drivers may not see you clearly enough, especially in the dark or in bad weather conditions. If you are outside your car, be sure to stand well away from the road. 

There are some precautionary steps you can take to help prevent a car breakdown. Cars that haven’t been regularly maintained have the highest chance of breaking down.

Make sure your car is professionally serviced and your fluid levels (water, oil, coolant) are checked – especially during the hot summer months. Also, remember to routinely check your tyre pressure levels and car battery.

With these points in mind, you can minimise the chance of finding yourself stranded with a broken-down car and if you do break down, have a reactive plan in place and be sure to know what to do to keep safe and stress-free. 

National Seniors Australia members receive 10% off Roadside Assistance.

When you experience car trouble, be prepared and know you will be assisted with National Seniors Australia Roadside Assistance.

Roadside Assistance includes 24/7 call centre and emergency support, as well as callouts, emergency fuel, batteries, and help with lost or locked keys. With National Seniors Australia Roadside Assistance, you’ll know that if your car breaks down, we can assist you.