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Why roadside help keeps vanishing as modern Australia faces a quiet shift

Gian T
By Gian T
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Offtopic / Everything else

Why roadside help keeps vanishing as modern Australia faces a quiet shift

1757912197334.png Why roadside help keeps vanishing as modern Australia faces a quiet shift
Good samaritan stopped to help when others wouldn't on a side road. Credit: Facebook

There was a time when a broken-down motorist on an Australian road could count on the next passing driver to pull over and lend a hand. It was part of our national character, woven into the fabric of what we called mateship.



But as Doreen Testa and her husband Darryl discovered recently in Far North Queensland, those days seem to be fading fast.



The couple spotted a red ute with its bonnet up, smoke billowing from the engine, just 20 kilometres from Karumba. The driver had his thumb out, clearly in distress. While other motorists drove past—one even giving the stranded driver an offensive gesture—Doreen convinced Darryl to stop.



Ten minutes and a bit of water later, the grateful ute owner was back on the road.



But here's what made this simple act of kindness newsworthy: the stranded driver told them he'd been waiting for hours, watching car after car pass him by.



The numbers tell a sobering story



Recent survey data reveals that 80 per cent of Australian respondents have experienced a breakdown or vehicle malfunction at some point while driving. More than 20 per cent reported experiencing issues in the past 12 months alone.



For those of us who remember when every second car would stop to help, these statistics paint a picture of thousands of Australians potentially stranded without assistance.










'I think people are scared to pull over which is disheartening. This man was obviously alone, his car was broken down in broad daylight.'

Doreen Testa



The reluctance to help isn't entirely unfounded. The original article mentions several concerning incidents, including dashcam footage of people staging breakdowns to target Good Samaritans. One tradie who received help reportedly told his would-be rescuer to 'f*** off' in colourful language.



Another incident showed people lying in the middle of a highway at night—clearly not a genuine breakdown situation.



What the experts actually recommend



Interestingly, official advice from Australia's major motoring organisations takes a very different approach to roadside breakdowns than the traditional 'lend a hand' mentality many of us grew up with.










Official safety advice for breakdowns


Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on and call roadside assistance.


If you must exit, always check for traffic and leave from the side away from traffic.


Stand clear of the road behind a safety barrier if possible.


If you can't identify a safe place outside, stay inside with doors and windows locked until help arrives.




The RACQ specifically advises against waving down traffic for help, noting this can distract other drivers. The NRMA recommends keeping the car bonnet closed until professional help arrives, especially if overheating caused the breakdown, as overheated engines can cause considerable harm.



For those considering helping others, Transport NSW advises finding a safe spot to pull over and avoiding traffic when leaving your vehicle.



A generational shift in confidence and culture



The research reveals some fascinating insights that resonate with the experiences of many older Australians.



The most confident age group for changing car tyres are those aged 58 to 62 - right in the target demographic for many of our readers.



Meanwhile, confidence in tyre changing has declined significantly, with only 14 per cent of respondents in 2024 saying they were extremely comfortable with the task, compared to over a quarter in 2022.









Did you know?


Did you know?
There's a significant gender gap in roadside confidence: only around 18 per cent of women said they were comfortable or extremely comfortable changing a tyre, compared to 60 per cent of men. This highlights why professional roadside assistance can be particularly valuable for many senior women.



The modern solution: professional help at your fingertips



Rather than relying on the kindness of strangers, today's approach emphasises professional assistance. Australia's largest roadside assistance networks help a member every 30 seconds with unlimited 24/7 callouts. In metropolitan areas, the average response time is around 30 minutes.




Staying safe during a breakdown



  • Switch on hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers

  • Ask yourself if there's a compelling safety reason to leave the vehicle—if you feel safest inside, stay there with seatbelt fastened

  • Limit phone use except for emergencies, as roadside assistance may be trying to contact you

  • Note landmarks, road signs, and direction of travel to help responders find you




Finding the balance between safety and compassion



The challenge facing modern Australia isn't that we've become less caring—it's that we've become more aware of potential dangers. The incidents mentioned in news reports, while relatively rare, have understandably made people more cautious.



Motoring organisations now recommend being aware if approached for help and keeping doors locked until official assistance arrives. This doesn't mean abandoning compassion entirely, but rather channelling it more safely.









Technology bridging the gap



Modern roadside assistance has evolved far beyond the basic tow truck. Many services now provide SMS tracking links showing the real-time location of contractors and estimated arrival times. Apps like My NRMA allow you to book assistance and track help without lengthy phone calls.



For seniors who might find changing tyres or jump-starting batteries physically challenging, these services level the playing field. Trained mechanics fix over 85 per cent of cars on the spot, meaning most breakdowns don't require towing.



The cost of kindness in modern times



The reality is that helping strangers now carries risks our parents' generation rarely considered. While the vast majority of breakdowns are genuine, the few that aren't have created a climate of caution that's perhaps necessary but undeniably sad.









One social media user captured the sentiment perfectly, describing how she and another woman with a dog were stranded while at least 150 cars passed them by. 'It was very disheartening,' she wrote. 'People are just too scared to stop these days.'



A measured approach for modern Good Samaritans



For those who still feel compelled to help—and this instinct speaks well of us as Australians—safety experts suggest a measured approach. If you do choose to stop, ensure you can do so safely, keep your vehicle secure, and trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is.



The key is finding a safe spot to pull over and avoiding traffic when you leave your vehicle. Consider that offering to call professional help for someone might be more valuable than attempting repairs yourself.









Looking forward while honouring the past



The truth is, the Australia where every motorist was a potential rescuer may be gone, but it's been replaced by something more systematic and arguably safer. Professional roadside assistance means help is never more than a phone call away, regardless of how remote your location or how late the hour.



This doesn't mean we've lost our humanity. It means we've adapted to new realities while still finding ways to look after each other. The kindness that Doreen and Darryl showed near Karumba is still there—it's just expressed more cautiously than it once was.



For older Australians who remember the old ways, this shift might feel like something precious has been lost. But perhaps what we've really done is professionalised compassion, ensuring that help is available when needed without putting Good Samaritans at unnecessary risk.



The stranded driver who waited hours for help represents a transition period we're still navigating. As roadside assistance becomes more accessible and awareness grows, such lengthy waits should become increasingly rare.



What hasn't changed is our fundamental desire to help each other through life's unexpected challenges. We've simply found new ways to do it safely.



What This Means For You


What are your thoughts on this shift? Have you noticed changes in roadside culture over the years, and how do you balance wanting to help with staying safe? Share your experiences and perspectives in the comments below.




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