Even the best-cared-for vehicle can sometimes fail, and it may happen at the most inconvenient time on the highway, in the middle of your road trip, or at the peak of your day during your busy commute through Brisbane.
Whether you are a regular driver or a visitor visiting Queensland’s capital, knowing what to do in this situation will determine if you have a stressful experience or a rapid fix to your vehicle.
1. Stay Calm and Prioritize Safety
If you are experiencing a vehicle breakdown, the first and foremost thing you need to do is to stay calm. It can be very frustrating.
However, panicking isn’t going to help the situation. Your primary goal is to keep you and your passengers safe.
If your car starts showing some level of difficulty (e.g., unusual noises, loss of power, or power alerts on the instrument panel), slowly decrease speed and drive the vehicle to a safe area. Avoid hard braking and avoid swerving.
- Position your car as far to the left side of the roadway as you can.
- Turn on your hazard lights promptly to notify others driving by.
- If it’s dark or blind, use reflective triangles or a flashlight.
- Stay in your vehicles on a busy highway unless there is a safety concern (for example, smoke or a fuel leak).
2. Assess the Situation
Once you’ve safely parked, check to see what is wrong with your vehicle. Some common causes of breakdowns are:
- Flat or blown tires
- Dead battery
- Overheating engine
- Fuel depletion
- Electrical issues
If you have some experience with automotive troubleshooting, observe the section where the fault occurs. For example, when your engine overheats, turn the ignition off and wait for the engine to cool down before observing the coolant level.
If you are unsure, then don’t mess with the car. It may only create additional issues.
3. Call for Roadside Assistance
Brisbane has various professional roadside assistance services that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Here are a few of the more popular ones.
RACQ Roadside Assistance
NRMA (covers Queensland using partner services)
Tow.com.au for towing and breakdown recovery.
If you have hired your vehicle from Viz car rental, you are in even better hands. Viz car rental has 24-hour breakdown assistance, so you won’t be stranded for too long.
Simply call their support helpline number and they will organize assistance swiftly, whether that’s a vehicle mechanic, tow truck, or replacement vehicle.
Make sure you save those numbers to your phone before you start driving, so if you require assistance, you will be able to contact help quickly!
4. Stay Visible and Wait Safely
While awaiting assistance, be sure to remain visible and safely out of the way of oncoming traffic. Keep your hazard lights on, and if you have a reflective safety vest, put it on before exiting the vehicle.
If you have broken down on a freeway such as the M1 or Gateway Motorway, it is best to stay in your vehicle wearing your seatbelt until help arrives. Brisbane tends to have fast-moving traffic, and exiting the vehicle can be dangerous.
If it’s an option, let the roadside assistance team know where you precisely are. If you can, use Google Maps, or use the road signs to find your closest exit, suburb, or landmark.
5. Communicate and Update Your Plans
If you’re on the road or going to an appointment, please remember to let someone know that you will be late. You could let your hotel, travel companions, or client know you’re running late.
Most mechanical breakdowns can be repaired at the scene, like recharging a flat battery or replacing a wheel, but if your vehicle needs to be towed, consider arranging for other transportation.
Viz Car Rental can arrange for a replacement vehicle should your rental car not be able to be repaired quickly, helping to ensure that your travel in Brisbane can continue as planned.
6. Keep Emergency Contacts Handy
Always keep a list of emergency contacts in your phone and glove box.
These should include as below.
- Roadside Assistance Number
- Car Rental Company (viz Car Rental)
- Emergency Services (000 in Australia)
- Family or Friend Contact.
Preparedness makes it easier to respond quickly, no matter where you are.
Wrapping It Up
A vehicle malfunction can happen to anyone, but the outcome resides in your response. With a few reminders (stay calm, the safety of all guests comes first, know who to call), you can manage a stressful situation easily.
If you are renting in Brisbane, Viz Car Rental makes sure the experience is stress-free. They provide 24/7 roadside assistance and offer late-model vehicles with great support. That way, you can explore Brisbane, or beyond, to your heart’s content.
