What to do in a breakdown on a freeway or major highway

Having your vehicle break down on a high-speed road can be stressful and also dangerous if you’re unsure of what you need to do to stay safe.

Whether you’re on a freeway or one of the state’s major highways, in the event of a breakdown, you should indicate, slow down, and pull over into a designated emergency lane or a signed emergency stopping bay.

If there are no emergency stopping lanes or bays, indicate left before slowing down to pull over on the left shoulder, as far away from moving traffic as possible.

Stay in your vehicle and keep your seatbelt on. Apply your handbrake, turn your hazard lights on and call your roadside assistance provider.

If your car stops on a major road before you have the chance to pull over, and there are no safe breaks in the flow of traffic, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt, handbrake and hazard lights on. Only if it’s safe to do so, exit your vehicle, ideally on the opposite side to the traffic, and move yourself away from the road to wait for roadside assistance.

If your vehicle is obstructing traffic on a major road in the metropolitan area, Main Roads WA may be able to tow your vehicle to a safer location at no cost. Call 138 138.

For more information about what to do in a breakdown, visit mainroads.wa.gov.au