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Two of the major causes of road deaths and injuries
– speeding and driving while tired, are particularly applicable
to drivers on country roads.
Other factors that increase the risks of crashing on country
roads include:
- longer distances to travel
- running off the road
- different road surfaces
- animals on the road
- overtaking long and slow vehicles, particularly farm
machinery
- driving at night and in bad weather.
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Fatigue
Driving while tired is one of the most common causes of single vehicle crashes
and head-on vehicle crashes on country roads.
Research has shown that you can reduce this by:
- having a good night’s sleep before driving
- starting your trip early in the day and avoiding driving during the night
or straight after you finish work
- including a break or rest stop every 2 hours
- avoiding driving at times when you are usually asleep
- avoiding driving for more than 8-10 hours a day.
If you become tired there is no substitute for sleep – pulling over
for a nap of only 15 minutes can improve your concentration far more than
drinking coffee, talking, listening to the radio or opening the window.
Speed
The open road speed limit in South Australia is 100km/h unless otherwise sign
posted. Most major rural routes have a 110km/h speed limit. However the faster
you travel, the greater your risk of crashing and the more severe the crash
can be.
Reduce this risk by;
- keeping within the speed limit.
- travelling at a speed that suits the road, vehicle and weather conditions
so you can stop in time to avoid a crash.
Running off the bitumen
A common cause of country crashes is running off the road on to the soft edge
- then over-correcting your steering to the right, or braking too hard.
If you move onto the soft edge:
- slow down first by lifting your foot off the accelerator
- hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands
- do not try to pull straight back on to the road
- ease the wheels back on to the bitumen, being careful of the raised edge
between the bitumen and soft edge as this can wrench the steering wheel
out of your hand.
Different road surfaces
Country roads are not a consistent road surface like those of metropolitan roads.
They may have a wavy surface and be made from different materials.
Slow down on unsealed or gravel surfaces as:
- they are always loose so have half the tyre grip of a bitumen road –
meaning you need double the distance to brake safely
- when driving around a bend, loss of control will occur at a much lower
speed
- if the surface is clay, it becomes very slippery when wet.
Animals on the road
Animals such as cattle, kangaroos, emus and smaller animals can be hypnotized
by the glare of headlights.
Remember to:
- always look out for animals on or near the road, particularly at dawn,
dusk or night, when native animals such as kangaroos are moving around to
feed
- brake slowly
- sound your horn
- flash your lights, rather than try to swerve around them.
Driving at night or in bad weather
- turn on your vehicle’s lights when it is difficult to see far ahead
such as at sunset and sunrise, or when driving in rain or fog
- slow down in poor weather conditions
- watch for other vehicles approaching intersections.
| Overtaking
Overtaking lanes are provided on some major rural roads, in particular
the Dukes Highway and Highway 1 between Port Wakefield and Port Augusta
and the Sturt Highway. They are uncommon on other rural roads in South
Australia.
Before attempting to overtake any vehicle ask yourself whether it is
really necessary. If in doubt, do not overtake.
Drivers on country roads need to take extra care when overtaking long
vehicles. A driver of a car travelling at 110 km/h on a two-way road
will need about two kilometres of clear road ahead
to safely overtake a 23 metre B-double vehicle that is travelling at
100 km/m. Road trains are even longer at up to 54 metres long and 2.5
metres wide, with up to 3 trailers. |
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You need to:
- allow plenty of time to overtake long vehicles
- allow even longer in wet weather
- remember that trailers or caravans may sway from side to side.
Slow moving vehicles
On country roads, you will often find slow-moving vehicles and large agricultural
machinery, such as tractors and harvesters. You may also encounter people on
bicycles, who may be riding two abreast (as is legal).
Agricultural vehicles can be deceptive in size and prove to be much wider
and longer than expected. Hay rakes and disc ploughs being towed by agricultural
vehicles can often blend into the background, particularly when the colour
of the implement is similar to the surrounding countryside.
Remember to:
- overtake agricultural vehicles at slow speeds as they often swerve when
approaching posts or have to turn into adjacent property
- when overtaking, cornering or driving over a crest of a hill; a slow
vehicle may be on or entering the road in front of you.
Other Information
When travelling in a remote area:
- Carry additional water, food and tools
- Find out what the road conditions are - they can change unpredictably
- Let someone know your movements and expected time of arrival
- Carry some kind of long range communication equipment
- Do not leave your vehicle if it breaks down in a remote
area.
Other important information
- The Outback Motoring booklet provides advice on safe travel in outback
and remote areas and is available from the RAA.
- The Take the Right Road brochure provides information on outback road
closure signs and is available from Transport SA.
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