How to stay safe while you wait for a tow truck

Once you've called for help, the most dangerous part is often the wait. RACV warns that people have been killed in Australia after being hit in an emergency lane or following a breakdown. Your vehicle can be replaced, so here's how to look after yourself and your passengers until the truck arrives.

First, get the vehicle somewhere better

If the car can still roll, use that. RACV's advice is to put your hazard lights on and find a safe place to stop. On freeways and highways, move as far to the left as you can, and try to avoid stopping right after a bend, where traffic has less time to see you. Once you've stopped, switch off the ignition but leave your hazard lights on.

Stay in the car or get out?

It depends on how close you are to moving traffic:

• A safe distance from traffic: stay inside with your seatbelt on while you wait.
• Close to traffic: get out through the passenger door, so the car stays between you and the traffic. Stand as far from the road as you can, and bring everyone with you, including children.

Whichever you choose, don't stand in front of or behind the vehicle, don't walk along the freeway looking for help, and don't try to fix the car or change a tyre beside fast traffic. Our freeway guide goes through this in more detail.

Know who to call

If you're waiting at night

Night breakdowns can feel worse, especially if you're on your own. RACQ's advice is simple: note your exact location, because vehicles are harder to see at night, and keep your doors locked until help arrives. It also says to be aware if someone approaches you offering help.

• If it's safe to stay in the car, stay in with the doors locked and your hazard lights on.
• If someone stops, you can talk through a slightly open window and tell them help is already coming.
• Send your location to a friend or family member, and tell them who's coming.
• If you ever feel threatened, call 000.

If you have kids or pets with you

RACQ treats having pets or children in the car during a breakdown as an emergency situation, and it's not hard to see why. Stay calm, reassure them, and sit next to a child who's upset if you can. If it's hot, open a window or run the air conditioning if the car allows it, or get out if it's safe to do so. Don't leave children or pets alone in a stopped car. Keep them away from the road, and keep pets on a lead or inside the car if you can.

In heat, storms or bad weather

• Heat: a stopped car warms up quickly. Keep water handy, and find shade away from the road if it's safe to leave the car.
• Storms: don't wait under trees, and keep away from floodwater. Don't try to drive or wade through water to reach help.
• Long waits: tell someone where you are. Regional drivers should read our guide to breaking down with no reception.

Look after your phone

Your phone is your way to reach the tow driver and everyone else. Lower the screen brightness, close what you don't need, and plug it in if the car's power still works. Keep it on loud, because drivers often call when they're close.

When the truck arrives

1. Check it's the truck you booked. If you booked through RoadM8, compare what you see with the details in your booking.
2. Move well clear while the vehicle is loaded, and stay out from between the two vehicles.
3. Take your valuables, keys and any child seats or pets you'll need.
4. Ask how you'll get home before the truck leaves. Don't assume you can ride with the driver.

Book the tow from a safe spot

Get yourself clear of the traffic before you do anything else. Then, on RoadM8, you can send one request instead of ringing around, compare the quotes that come in, and follow the truck live while you wait. Quotes depend on who's available near your pick-up at the time. You can also start from your local area, such as towing in Melbourne.