Breaking down on the highway can be stressful and dangerous, especially when traffic is moving quickly around you. Whether you are travelling through Ballina, heading along the Pacific Motorway, driving between Northern Rivers towns or passing through Northern NSW, your first priority should always be safety.
At Ballina Tow Trucks, we provide 24/7 emergency towing, breakdown towing, accident towing and vehicle transport across Ballina, the Northern Rivers and Northern NSW. If your vehicle breaks down on the highway, here are the key steps to follow.
Pull Over Safely if You Can
If your vehicle is still moving, indicate early and carefully move as far away from traffic as possible. Aim for a wide shoulder, breakdown bay, exit ramp, service station, rest area or safe side road.
Avoid stopping on blind corners, narrow shoulders, bridges, crests or areas where other drivers may have limited visibility.
Once stopped, turn on your hazard lights immediately.
Stay Clear of Traffic
Highway traffic can be dangerous, even when your vehicle is pulled over. If it is safer to remain inside the vehicle, keep your seatbelt on and wait for help.
If you need to leave the vehicle, exit from the side away from traffic and move well clear of the road. Never stand behind, in front of or beside your vehicle on the traffic side.
Make Your Vehicle Visible
Keep your hazard lights on while you wait. If it is night, raining or visibility is poor, visibility becomes even more important.
Do not attempt roadside repairs unless the vehicle is in a safe location well away from traffic. Changing a tyre or checking under the bonnet on a busy highway can be extremely risky.
Share Your Exact Location
When calling for towing support, provide your exact location as clearly as possible. Helpful details include:
- Highway or road name
- Direction of travel
- Nearest town or suburb
- Closest exit, intersection or landmark
- Kilometre markers or road signs
- GPS location from your phone
- Vehicle make, model and colour
- What has happened to the vehicle
The more accurate your location, the easier it is for a tow truck to find you quickly.
Call Emergency Services if Needed
If your vehicle is blocking traffic, someone is injured, there has been an accident, there is smoke, fire, fuel leakage or another immediate danger, call emergency services first.
A tow truck can help move the vehicle once the situation is safe, but emergency services should always be contacted first if there is a serious safety risk.
Arrange Breakdown Towing
If your vehicle cannot be driven safely, professional towing is usually the safest option. This may be the case if the vehicle has overheated, lost power, has brake or steering issues, has tyre or wheel damage, will not start, or has warning lights that should not be ignored.
Ballina Tow Trucks can transport your vehicle to a mechanic, repairer, home, storage location, dealership or another suitable destination.
Highway Breakdown Towing Across the Northern Rivers
Highway breakdowns can happen at any time, and being stuck beside fast-moving traffic is not worth the risk. A local towing team can help move your vehicle safely and get you off the roadside sooner.
Ballina Tow Trucks provides reliable towing and vehicle transport across Ballina, the Northern Rivers and Northern NSW. Broken down on the highway? Call Ballina Tow Trucks on 0413 992 482 for 24/7 towing support across Ballina and the Northern Rivers.
