Driving Safely in Australia
Because of the large distances that are often involved when traveling by car in Australia, it’s worth taking to time to reconsider some practical steps to take to ensure you have the safest possible journey. As a regular Australian driver it’s all too easy to take the simplest things for granted and for a tourist who is unused to driving on Aussie roads there are different considerations and things to watch out for. Firstly, there are the basic precautions that apply whether you’re a seasoned Aussie driver or someone totally new to the countries roads but there are also the slightly more ‘unique’ obstacles that one may face such as an errant Kangaroo bouncing off your bonnet! We’ve listed these tips below to help you to enjoy driving in Australia – drive safely and enjoy all the fantastic diverse scenery that Australia offers.
- Always make sure you hire from a reputable company that regularly performs the requisite safety checks and whose fleet is equipped with all the modern safety features.
- Prepare for long journeys by making sure you have plenty of water for each passenger. One thing’s for certain you don’t want to be breaking down in forty degree heat with no water!
- Consider joining a roadside assistance company such as the RAC. Alternatively, if you’re just visiting Australia then ask your car rental provider for details of what the procedure or cover is in the unlikely eventuality that you break down. This is particularly relevant for anyone driving through remote areas (which let’s face it is pretty much most of the country!). It’s also a good idea to inform friends or relatives or at least somebody else if you’re planning on going cross country. Let them know which route you plan to take and when you’re likely arrival date and time is. This way, if anything should go wrong you’ve got someone to sound the alarm on your behalf.
- Watch out for Kangaroo’s. It’s no coincidence that many Australian vehicles are fitted with ‘Roo’ bars on their front bumpers. Be especially vigilant around dusk as this is the most likely time to experience a rogue Kangaroo jumping in to the road in front of your car. This is an additional reason to stick to the speed limits and be aware of what’s happening around you. This brings us on to the next point ...
- Always make sure you’ve had sufficient rest. If you’re going on a long journey take frequent breaks and if it makes more sense then split the journey up over a couple of days or share the driving with someone else. Tiredness is one of the biggest causes of accidents on Australian roads.
- Be aware of other drivers. The Aussie slang term for a boy racer is a ‘Hoon’. These are often young blokes who have recently become mobile and drive too fast and dangerously. If any other drivers look to be driving erratically or too fast the best thing to do is let them pass or better still pull over and don’t get involved in any form of competitive driving!
- Don’t exceed the speed limit and always wear a seatbelt. Australian police patrol the highways at all times and there are heavy fines imposed for breaking the rules. Be extra aware of the rules of the road on weekends and bank holidays as you’ll find an even greater police presence. It’s also double fines and double points on your licence in some states if you get caught speeding or not wearing a seatbelt on a bank holiday.
- It’s a really obvious point and should apply wherever you are but DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. Australians as a rule will never ever take the risk of drunk driving and either stick to soft drinks or else have a drink at home. Aside from the obvious danger, for many Australians they would be completely lost without their car due to the size of the country and distance between towns – many rely on their vehicle to get them to work and if they lose their licence they would also lose their job. This is very sensible and we would recommend that any visitors to Australia adopt the same policy of total abstinence when driving.