When you’re behind the wheel of a car – whether alone or with passengers – driving safely on the Newell Highway should always be your top concern.
Focus on driving
- Have your car serviced and given a proper safety check-up.
- Plan your trip and make sure you allow plenty of time to get to your destination, including rest stops. The local Visitor Information Centres can provide helpful advice and information.
- Avoid distractions and keep 100% of your attention on driving at all times – no multi-tasking.
- Don’t use your phone or any other electronic device while driving.
- Never drink alcohol or take illegal drugs, not even small amounts, before or during a long trip.
- Stay within the speed limit and always choose an appropriate speed for the driving conditions. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of an accident.
- Make sure all passengers wear appropriate seatbelts or child restraints – including pets.
- Make sure all luggage is properly secured and won’t become projectiles in the case of sudden braking.
- Keep ample space between you and the car in front and increase that space at higher speeds and in wet conditions.
- Make sure that your car has a spare tyre inflated and in good condition. Do not attempt to change a flat tyre unless it is safe to do so. If possible, drive at slow speeds on a flat tyre to a safe spot away from traffic to change the flat tyre.
- Slow down to 40km/h when passing a stationary emergency vehicle displaying blue or red flashing lights. The rule applies to vehicles travelling in both directions, unless the road is divided by a median strip.
- Advisory signs and road conditions
- Observe the State and local council advisory signs and notices concerning road closures and conditions. Don’t cross flooded roads as flooded roads can be very dangerous – even shallow water can sweep your vehicle away. Find an alternative route, or wait for the water level to drop and it is safe to proceed. Road condition information can be obtained from the following websites:
New South Wales – http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au/desktop.htm
Victoria – http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au
Queensland – www.131940.qld.gov.au/Home.aspx
Fatigue-related behaviour
Driver fatigue is one of the top three contributors to the road toll. Most fatigue-related accidents occur during normal sleeping hours, and the more severe the crash, the more likely it is that the driver or drivers were fatigued. The only way to address fatigue is by sleeping, so get a good night’s sleep before heading off on a long trip, don’t travel for more than eight to ten hours a day and take regular breaks – at least every two hours.
Be Truck Aware
Trucks have blind spots due to their size and length, and have larger blind spots than the average car. This means that truck drivers may not be able to see you, so be cautious when driving next to, or behind, a truck.
Australian wildlife and livestock
Lookout for Australian wildlife, animals and livestock as they often graze on the roadside and can stray onto the road. Drivers should slow down when they see animal warning signs (which often feature on country/outback roads in areas where roads share the habitat with known local animals). Be very careful when driving at sunrise, sunset and at night, when animals are most active. If an animal crosses in front of you, brake gently – do not swerve wildly to avoid it.
Farm and Mining Equipment
Farm and mining equipment is often driven or transported along public roads, please be patient and when it is safe, the driver may allow you to pass. Over-sized farm and mining equipment will often feature an escort vehicle that has flashing lights and a sign ‘Heavy or Large or Oversize Vehicle’. When drivers see an escort vehicle they should slow down and move to the left as large vehicles (possibly wide as well) follow shortly and there may be multiple vehicles.
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