The Roadside Emergency Kit Every WA Driver Needs

Quick answer: At minimum, carry water, phone charger, reflective triangle, jumper cables, a torch, basic tools and a tyre repair kit. If you drive out of Perth metro, add food, extra water, a first-aid kit and satellite communication.

Why WA Roadside Emergencies Are Different

Western Australia is vast. A breakdown on Roe Highway is inconvenient. A breakdown on Great Northern Highway 300km north of Geraldton is a genuine survival situation. Even on Perth metro roads, a 40°C afternoon turns a simple flat tyre into a heat-exhaustion risk.

The RAC responds to over 400,000 call-outs per year in WA. Flat batteries, flat tyres, and lockouts are the top three. These are all solvable with the right kit.

Metro Perth Emergency Kit

Minimum kit for any Perth driver:

Communication & Visibility

• Phone charger (both USB-C and lightning if multiple phones)
• Power bank - 10,000 mAh minimum, kept charged
• Reflective warning triangle - legal requirement in some states, essential everywhere
• Hi-vis vest - if you have to stand near traffic
• Torch with spare batteries - your phone torch is fine but dies fast

Repair & Recovery

• Jumper cables or lithium jump starter - a modern jump pack is under $100 and jumps dozens of times
• Tyre repair kit - plugs and a pump. Gets most punctures fixed enough to drive home.
• Tyre pressure gauge
• Tow strap / snatch strap
• Basic tool kit - screwdrivers, adjustable spanner, pliers
• Multi-tool
• Duct tape and cable ties - solve more problems than anything else

Safety & Comfort

• Water - at least 2 litres, rotated monthly
• Snacks - muesli bars, nuts (heat-stable, long shelf life)
• First aid kit - the basic $30 kits from Bunnings are adequate
• Blanket or emergency foil blanket
• Paper roadmap - for when phones die

Regional/Remote WA Add-Ons

If you\'re driving beyond Perth metro - heading to Margaret River, up to Geraldton, out to Kalgoorlie, or anywhere further - add:

• Extra water - 10+ litres minimum for remote trips
• Non-perishable food - enough for 2-3 days
• Spare fuel - jerry can, filled only for the trip (illegal to store long-term in cabin)
• Full-size spare tyre - the "space saver" in most cars is designed for 80 km/h over short distances
• Bigger jack and wheel brace - the ones that come with cars are often inadequate
• Satellite communicator - ZOLEO, Garmin InReach, or Spot. Mobile coverage drops out fast.
• EPIRB - for genuinely remote travel
• Hat, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt
• Spare coolant and engine oil
• Emergency contact card in the glovebox with name, allergies, medications

What to Do When You Break Down

1. Get off the road safely - aim for the left shoulder, preferably past a curve where you\'re visible
2. Turn on hazard lights
3. Exit away from traffic - out the passenger side if on a main road
4. Place your warning triangle - at least 50m back on regular roads, 150m on freeways
5. Stay with the vehicle unless it\'s in a dangerous position
6. Don\'t try to cross multi-lane freeways on foot
7. Call for help - mobile mechanic, RAC, or family

Common Breakdowns and Quick Fixes

• Flat battery: jumper cables to another car, or lithium jump pack. If it starts and dies again, alternator problem - don\'t turn it off.
• Flat tyre: plug kit + pump for most punctures; spare for sidewall damage
• Overheating: pull over, turn off AC, turn on heater, wait 30 minutes. See our overheating blog.
• Locked out: spare key with a partner, or call roadside assist
• Out of fuel: call for delivery (RAC or mobile mechanic)
• Won\'t start, no crank: battery or starter. Try jump starting.
• Won\'t start, cranks but won\'t fire: fuel, ignition, or sensor issue. Call for diagnostics.

Before Any Long Drive

Five-minute pre-trip check:

• Tyre pressures (all 5, including spare)
• Engine oil level
• Coolant level
• Washer fluid
• All lights working
• Fuel enough for next 300+km stretch

If your car is due for a service, get it done before a long trip. The middle of nowhere is a bad place to discover a slow coolant leak.