Plan Your Trip

Key Road Safety Tips for Travelling South Australia

Note: This is general information only.
It is your responsibility to seek professional information, especially if going off the beaten track.

Planning
Plan your trip to travel shorter distances each day to enjoy your journey. Driver fatigue can occur on any journey. STOP and REST about every two hours. Change drivers, go for a walk, drink water regularly.

Check tyre pressures and tyre wear. If tyres are old, replace them, even though they may still have plenty of tread. Driving over long distances, puts different stresses on tyres, than does short city trips.

Have your car serviced. Replace fan and other belts after 60,00 kms. It is also wise to carry spares. Should you break down, the local mechanic may not carry that size.

Loading Your Vehicle or Caravan
Before setting off ensure your vehicle, caravan or trailer is loaded evenly and within the weight recommended by the manufacturer.

Safe Driving
    •On corrugated roads slow down or you could lose control.
    •If travelling in a convoy, keep adequate space between vehicles to allow others to overtake.
    •It is unwise to travel in remote areas at night, dusk and dawn as animals are on the move to feed.
    •Cattle can sometimes be on the road in unfenced areas.
    •Do not park in road train bays. 
    •When travelling on unsealed roads, slow down and turn headlights on.
    •Stop when clouds of dust obscure your vision.
    •Beware of approaching vehicles throwing up stones.
    •Take particular care in 4 wheel drive vehicles. Know your limitations and those of the vehicle.

Driving in Remote Areas
    •When planning a trip in remote areas, inform friends or relatives of when and where you are travelling.
    •Always carry adequate fuel, water, food, spares and survival equipment and carry extra cash as some facility operators do not honour credit cards or cheques and work only on a cash only basis.
    •Use only public access tracks and camping areas and travel at speeds appropriate to road conditions.
    •Avoid wet weather driving because some roads can become impassable and dangerous in these conditions. Slow down.

Outback Road Information
The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure issues a regular Road Condition Report with advice, warnings and special notices about roads seasonally affected by weather. The report is available at a number of service stations, roadhouses and police stations around the region.

The report can also be accessed on: the 24 hour number 1300 361 033 or on the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure web-link:
   http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/northern.asp