Taking a road trip is a rite of passage for many young Australian learner drivers just out of driving school, but there are some things you need to consider before hitting the open road.
Many accidents occur on the rural roads of Australia and using these tips will ensure you have a great trip and remain safe.
Firstly, you need to know you limits. A road sign that states 100 km/h doesn’t mean that you have to keep to that speed at all times. It always depends on the conditions and in the country, driving conditions can change as quickly as you change your clothes! When we talk about conditions, this covers the local weather, potholes, the surface of the road, railway crossings and farming regions where livestock crossings are common.
It’s important to realise that when driving on a road you have not been on before, it’s better to drive under the speed limit. The road could change and become narrow or there may be a bend further up the road that you’re simply not aware of. It’s common for many drivers to overtake by crossing onto the other side of the road but this should only occur in an area when you can see up the road for some distance and only where permissible by the road rules.
Secondly, whenever possible, stick to driving during the day time. Avoid driving during the rain or at night time unless you have had some experience doing this with a driving instructor or taken a defensive driving course. Many of our outback roads have a loose surface or are simply dirt roads. Keep in mind it takes much longer to stop on a road like this so you should tend to brake slowly and allow for a longer stopping distance.
Thirdly, always remain alert by resting when you feel tired or swap drivers every 2 hours. The signs of driver fatigue can range from yawning, sore eyes, boredom or feeling irritable and unable to pay attention to road signs.
It’s also advisable to undertake some driving lessons on country roads if possible before setting out and always take someone who has more driving experience than yourself.
Tags: defensive driving, defensive driving course, driver, drivers, driving, driving course, driving experience, driving instructor, driving lesson, driving lessons, driving school, learner driver