Breakdowns never send a calendar invite. Whether it’s a flat tyre on a quiet country road or a dead battery in peak-hour traffic, car troubles can hit anytime—and usually at the worst time. That’s why every driver, no matter how experienced, should have a simple and clear roadside emergency action plan.
Creating one doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s just about knowing what to do, who to call, and how to stay safe if something goes wrong while you’re out on the road. Think of it like a fire drill—only for your car.
Here’s how to build a smart, practical plan that could save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress when the unexpected happens.
Step 1: Know Your Vehicle
Before anything else, take some time to get familiar with your car. No need to become a mechanic, but you should know the basics like:
- Where your spare tyre, jack, and tools are
- How to check your oil and coolant
- What warning lights mean on your dashboard
- Your vehicle’s registration and insurance details
You’d be surprised how many drivers don’t know how to open their bonnet. A few minutes flipping through your owner’s manual can make all the difference when you’re in a bind.
Step 2: Build Your Emergency Kit
This is your safety net when things go sideways. A well-stocked emergency kit doesn’t have to cost a fortune or take up your entire boot. Just include the essentials:
- First aid kit
- Jumper cables or jump starter
- Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Hi-vis vest and warning triangle
- Spare tyre, jack, and wheel brace
- Phone charger or power bank
- Basic toolkit (screwdriver, pliers, wrench)
- Water and non-perishable snacks
- Blanket or poncho (for cold or rainy days)
Trust us, we’ve seen drivers break down with nothing in their car but gym gear and a half-empty water bottle. Not ideal.
Step 3: Plan for Different Scenarios
Not every roadside emergency is the same. Your plan should cover a few key situations:
🛞 Flat tyre – Find a safe spot, turn on your hazard lights, apply the handbrake, and only change the tyre if you’re confident and it’s safe. If not, call for help.
🔋 Dead battery – Use jumper cables or a jump starter if you have them. If the car doesn’t turn over after a few tries, it’s time to ring your roadside service.
🌧️ Bad weather breakdown – Stay in the car if it’s unsafe to get out. Keep your hazard lights on and wait for professional help.
💥 Minor accident – Move the car off the road (if possible), turn on hazards, check everyone for injuries, and exchange info with the other driver. Take photos of the scene and call your insurance provider when safe.
Step 4: Have Key Contacts Ready
Don’t wait until you’re stranded with no signal to start googling “tow truck near me.” Save the important numbers in your phone and write them down somewhere in your glovebox:
- Roadside assistance provider
- Local tow truck company (like us—just saying!)
- Your car insurer
- Emergency services (000 in Australia)
- A family member or friend
Some drivers keep a laminated card with these details—it’s old school, but effective, especially if your phone is flat or lost.
Step 5: Share the Plan with Family or Travel Buddies
If you share a car with your partner, kids, or even a housemate, make sure they know the plan too. It’s not just for the driver—anyone who might be in the car should know where the emergency kit is and what to do if something goes wrong.
We once helped a family who had broken down on a rural road. The driver was calm and collected because she had everything prepared—but her teenage son had no idea where the hazard button was or how to call for help. A quick briefing can go a long way.
Step 6: Practice (Just a Bit)
You don’t need to stage a full-on roadside drill, but doing a quick run-through can boost your confidence. Try:
- Locating and checking your spare tyre
- Practising with your jack and wheel brace
- Using your jumper cables safely
- Identifying where your hazard lights are
- Looking at your warning triangle and knowing where to place it
Even five minutes of practice can make a huge difference when you’re under pressure.
Step 7: Keep It Updated
Your emergency plan shouldn’t be a “set and forget” kind of thing. Check your kit every few months to make sure everything still works. Replace expired items (like food or batteries), top up water, and adjust your plan if you’ve moved, changed insurance, or switched vehicles.
You’d be surprised how fast things go out of date—especially if you haven’t had to use the kit in a while. Keeping it fresh means you won’t be caught off guard.
When trouble strikes on the road, the worst thing you can do is panic. A roadside emergency plan gives you something to fall back on—clear steps, familiar tools, and the confidence to stay safe while help is on the way.
We’ve met drivers who handled tough situations like champs simply because they were prepared. Others… not so much. One bloke had to borrow a phone from a passerby because his battery was dead and he didn’t know his own insurer’s number.
Moral of the story? Be the driver who plans ahead. It doesn’t take long, and you don’t need to be a pro. Just a bit of thought now can save you a heap of stress later—and if it ever gets beyond what you can handle, you know who to call. We’re always ready to lend a hand.
If you are in Rythdale, and looking for a roadside assistance service, this is the best way to visit us.
Cranbourne Tow Trucks
39 S Gippsland Hwy, Cranbourne VIC 3977
(03) 7042 2059