Car Broken Down on the Gateway Motorway? What to Do First

First priority: get safe before arranging the tow

Breaking down on the Gateway Motorway can become dangerous quickly. Traffic is fast, shoulders can be narrow and some sections near bridges, ramps and merging lanes leave very little room. The first priority is always people, not the vehicle.

If the vehicle is still moving, aim for the safest available place to stop. Use the far-left side, an emergency stopping bay, a wide shoulder, a service road, a nearby exit, or a safe side street if you can reach one without forcing the vehicle. Turn your hazard lights on immediately.

Do not stop in a live lane unless there is no choice

If the car still has power and can move safely, try to get out of the traffic lane. If it has completely stopped and cannot move, do not walk around the vehicle or try to repair it in traffic. Stay calm, make the vehicle visible and call for help.

Should you get out of the car?

Only get out if it is safe. If there is a barrier and you can leave from the passenger side, move behind the barrier and stay well away from traffic. Take your keys and phone with you. If there is no safe place to stand, if traffic is too close, or if you are in a tunnel, on a bridge, or near a narrow shoulder, staying in the vehicle with your seatbelt on may be safer until help arrives.

Call 13 19 40 if the vehicle is in a dangerous motorway location

For motorway or major road incidents in Queensland, 13 19 40 is the key traffic information and road incident number. Use it if the vehicle is on a motorway, highway, major road, or in a position that may affect traffic safety.

If anyone is injured, if there has been a crash, if traffic is blocked, or if there is immediate danger, call emergency services first.

Gateway Motorway areas where location details matter

The Gateway Motorway connects busy parts of Brisbane including the airport side, Eagle Farm, Murarrie, Tingalpa, Eight Mile Plains, Morningside access roads and the Port of Brisbane corridor. A tow truck quote is much easier when you can explain exactly where the vehicle is.

If you can safely exit the motorway, it is often easier and safer to arrange towing from a nearby servo, business car park, side street, workshop or industrial estate instead of waiting on the shoulder.

What to tell the tow truck operator

“Gateway Motorway” by itself is not enough. Try to provide your direction of travel, closest exit, nearby sign, bridge, ramp, suburb, map pin and whether you are northbound or southbound.

• Direction of travel: northbound or southbound.
• Closest exit, sign, bridge, service road or landmark.
• Whether the vehicle is on the shoulder, off the motorway or at a safe pickup point.
• Vehicle make, model and registration if available.
• Whether it rolls, steers and brakes.
• Where you want it taken.

Can TowFast help with Gateway Motorway breakdowns?

TowFast Brisbane can help with breakdown towing and vehicle transport around the Gateway Motorway corridor when the vehicle can be safely accessed. If the car has already been moved to a safe area, or if it is parked at a nearby business, workshop, servo or side street, we can quote the tow from that pickup point to your destination.

Frequently asked questions