The Danger When Changing a Spare on Busy Roads

Every year pedestrians and drivers are seriously injured on the side of Australian roads.  Not in crashes, but while stationary dealing with breakdowns. It's a statistic most people never think about until they're standing on the Monash Freeway shoulder in peak hour, jack in hand, cars screaming past at 100km/h.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Sometimes the safest thing you can do is leave the tyre and call for help. A damaged rim is far cheaper than a hospital visit.

The Specific Hazards Most People Underestimate

Passing Traffic: When you're standing next to your car on a busy road, you are very close to vehicles at speed. The side-draft from trucks creates significant buffeting that is enough to knock an adult off balance. You become much less visible when crouched behind the rear tyre, directly in line with passing vehicles. A high-visibility vest which is cheap enough to keep in every car makes a real difference.

Narrow Shoulders and Road Geometry: Not all breakdowns happen in convenient flat areas. Freeway on-ramps, bridges, curved sections and narrow shoulders are particularly hazardous. A jack sitting slightly off-level on a slope is an unstable jack. Where a vehicle should need be propped up on an un-level surface. 

Poor Visibility: Night and rain are obvious. But glare, fog and low winter sun can reduce your visibility to approaching drivers. Hazard lights on, warning triangle out, headlights on if visibility is poor.

Jack Failure: A car that slips off a jack is a nightmare scenario that does happen. Never put any part of your body under a car supported only by a scissor jack.

What You Should Actually Do

• Get completely off the road if at all possible (even if it means driving slowly on the flat tyre to reach the next exit). 
• Turn hazard lights on the moment you suspect a problem.
• Once stopped, stay well away from the traffic side of your vehicle.
• Call for assistance rather than attempting the change in unsafe conditions.

We serve drivers across all of Melbourne— Hallam, Glen Waverley, Wantirna, Cheltenham.

 If you're not in a safe position to change the tyre, give us a call and we'll work out the best solution. 

Call us on (03) 9560 0442 or locate your nearest TYREPLUS HTR store!