Holidaymakers warned: Don’t break down on these roads

It’s a nightmare scenario for most travellers: having your vehicle break down far from a major town, and without mobile phone reception to call for help.

While nobody is expected to know when a car accident or engine failure will happen, bringing extra supplies for such an unfortunate scenario can be vital for survival – as well as knowing which roads could put you in the greatest danger.

To that end, a new study has compiled data based on commonly travelled roads in regional areas of Australia, providing information on distances to the nearest fuel station, mechanic, and hospital.

Based on these metrics, each road has been given a Danger Zone Index Score, to help travellers to be aware of the potential hazards should they find themselves stranded.

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Of the top three most dangerous roads, the Diamantina River Road in outback Queensland comes in at number three, with an index score of 178.49 – with at least 177km to the nearest fuel station, mechanic, or hospital from the most remote point of the road.

In second is the Tanami Road in the Northern Territory, which scores an index score of 249.60, with more than 230km to reach a hospital – and 300km for a mechanic – in a worst-case scenario.

According to the study, compiled by car hire comparison site VroomVroomVroom, Western Australia’s Gunbarrell Highway is the most dangerous commonly used road in the country, with a score of 267.45.

Located near the borders of South Australia and the Northern Territory, breaking down on the most remote part of the Gunbarrel Highway will mean at least 200km to a fuel station, almost 300km to the nearest hospital, and 450km to the closest mechanic.