Before buckling in and taking off, be prepared and do your bit behind the wheel for a safe road trip.
Whether you enjoy travelling on a whim or counting down the days until your next big road trip, no matter how near or far your adventure may be, driving on Australian roads during the holiday season can be equally fun and hectic.
Beautiful scenery, pristine beaches, and native fauna and flora make camping a popular holiday choice for many Australians. With this comes more cars and caravans on the road – especially during the holiday seasons over the summer and winter months. During these periods, you can expect the roads to be busier than usual, and unsurprisingly, more vehicles on the roads mean more risk for drivers.
So, whether you plan on taking a long drive interstate or a short trip to the coast, it’s vital to do your bit to help everyone stay safe on the roads. Below are 6 tips to help you safely navigate the roads these holidays.
Before heading out check the weather forecast. If a big storm is coming, then consider postponing your drive for another day. If you can’t, then drive to the conditions. Slow down and keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles.
Be mindful of other weather conditions like sun glare.
Remember that different states have different road rules and regulations, so ensure you abide by them. Always stay alert and be aware of other vehicles on the road – especially motorcycles and trucks. Trucks are much longer and more prominent in size and length compared to the average car. For this reason, truck drivers may not be able to see you because they have bigger blind spots, so for everyone’s safety, be truck aware and cautious when driving next to or behind a truck.
Whether it’s just to skip to the next song or switch your music to a podcast, do not touch your mobile phone while driving and keep your hand off it. If your car has hands-free or Bluetooth capabilities, connect it to your phone before driving. Avoid distractions like passengers showing videos from their mobile phones because that can get you into a sticky situation. For example, under NSW Road Rule 299 (1)(a): if a passenger is watching a show or having a FaceTime call and their display is visible to you as the driver, you could get a hefty fine and lose demerit points on your licence.
If you’re travelling for more than two hours, take regular breaks to stretch your legs and reset your body and mind. Ideally, swapping drivers to give your eyes some time out from the road is good practice. Stop for food and toilet breaks at rest areas and Driver Reviver spots throughout your trip and try to avoid driving at night and exceeding more than eight hours of travel.
Whether it's a koala crossing the road, holidaymakers, caravaners, or even undercover police officers, you just never know who you might see on our roads over the holidays. So, it always pays to follow the road rules, drive cautiously, and remain vigilant to all the other motorists and wildlife who share the roads. If you are driving in regional areas and not used to driving in these areas, be cautious of farm machinery and livestock on roads that may be crossing at dedicated crossing or may have got out through fencing.
To mitigate any insurance loss this holiday season, contact your Local WFI Insurance Representative to discuss your options or find your rep here: https://www.wfi.com.au/find-area-manager
This page provides general advice only. For up-to-date and specific advice relating to the risks in your area please speak to your local council or emergency services.
Disclaimer
This is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs (“your personal circumstances”). Before using this advice to decide whether to purchase a product, you should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations available from wfi.com.au. Insurance issued by Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 AFSL 227681 trading as WFI.