Australia So Much to See
There are slight variations in road rules between the states. As ignorance of the prevailing laws is no defence, be sure you know the speed limit and road rules each time you enter another state.
Speed its limits for towing trailers where less than the posted limits can be seen on State by State Tow Vehicle Speed Limits.
This New South Wales on line publication can be accessed in a number of different langauges: Australian Road Rules
State road rules publications
can be seen on
Western Australia. In addition for Western Australia, basic
road rules and travel hints can be gained from downloading
A Guide to Driving on WA Roads, an informative brochure,
whichis available for download in nine different languages.
If you are driving a vehicle that is 7.5 metres long or longer such as a semi trailer combination – including any load or projection – and it is displaying a “Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle” sign, you may use either or both lanes if necessary, to turn left to right if it is safe to do so. See more of the details and specific requirements for these signs.
Be careful when you are travelling near a large vehicle that is turning or negotiating a roundabout. Do not overtake on either side
once the driver has signalled an intention to turn. They may cut the corner, when they are turning at an intersection and before they
turn they are also legally allowed to cross over a continuous lane line leading up to the intersection.
Use your UHF radio to
communicate with heavy transport, particularly on narrow roads, and when you intend to overtake the truck or to allow him to pass
you. Communicate with road users on channel 40 or the specified channel for that road.
Braking and safety chain requirements, and the need for towing mirrors for trailers:
Extract from
Your trailer or caravan must have:
îthe correct coupling;
îat least one safety chain for vehicles up to 2.5 tonnes aggregate trailer
mass (ATM) and two safety chains for vehicles between 2.5 and 4.5 tonnes ATM. The chains must be cross-hitched so that the trailer
or caravan will still be secure if the coupling breaks;
îrear lights and reflectors;
îa light that illuminates the rear number plate;
îside
lights – if the vehicle is more than 2.1 metres wide; and
îa braking system (for example, override brakes) if the gross trailer mass
is between 750 kg and two tonnes and a breakaway braking system if the trailer or caravan is over two tonnes gross trailer mass.
Brakes
are not required to be fitted if the trailer, caravan or plant trailer has a gross trailer mass less than 750 kg.
Ensure your car is fitted with good exterior mirrors so you can clearly see behind you when towing a trailer or caravan.
Trailers registered in
Australian standards for trailers under 4.5 tonne: Vehicle Regulations VSB1
Road safety programmes of “Lights on – be seen” highlight the benefits of driving with vehicle lights on (dipped) during daylight hours on rural roads. It is essential in wet, dusty or smoky conditions, but even on clear days, intermittent patches of light and shadow can cause a vehicle to become invisible when in the shade patch, particularly with darker coloured cars.
Parking
lights are not effective, but headlights on dip are a safe driving tool.
It is an offence to drive with fog lights
on in clear weather (day or night).
Many modern cars automatically turn the lights off a couple of minutes after the ignition
has been turned off, and others have audible warning beeps if lights have been left on. For drivers of cars that don’t have
these, an easy way to ensure lights are turned off when leaving the car is to lock the driver’s door. This will be a reminder
that the lights are on when alighting.
Safety and security encompasses: Safe driving and road rules, Road conditions and closures, A correctly loaded rig, Sharing the road
with trucks, Vehicle accident reporting, Animal strike danger, Safety at fuel outlets, Tyres, Safe recovery, Murphy's Law - what can
go wrong?, Security of your personal property, Personal safety, Vehicle breakdown safety, First Aid, Sunburn safety, Weather safety, Campsite safety, Fire
safety, Smoke Alarms, Caravan gas safety, and an Escape Plan in case of fire are all part of good trip planning and preparation.
Seasonal rains and cyclones in northern areas and occasional flash flooding and flooded rivers due to rain some distance away can
cause roads to be closed or be unsafe to travel on. Respect all road closures. Due to damage that can be done, huge fines
can be levied for travelling on a closed road. To check on road closures and conditions the following resources can be used. These may not be up totally to date so if in doubt, check with the Shire office for roads in that Shire as these are the people
that check and close roads.
Queensland
Phone 131940
or RACQ road conditions map
Phone RACQ Queensland 1300 130 595
1800 246 199 for recorded information only
South Australia 1300 361 033
South Australia Northern and Outback Roads
Western
Australia by region or by Map. Phone 1800 013 314
Australian Capital Territory 132281
New South Wales 132701
or
Victoria 131170
Tasmania Contact local Police 131444 for up to date information about road conditions and closures
To contact Tasmania Police from an interstate location phone 1800 765 827
See also Flood Levels from the Bureau of Meteorology. Phone 1300659219 for the latest when travelling in areas where flooding has impacted on the roads.
Roads may also be closed due to bushfires. If the road is closed, no matter
how necessary you consider your need to cross, or whether you assess that the danger has passed, you may not enter a road that
has been closed by authorities during a fire while the closure is in force.
Please note a flick with the right indicator should not be used to indicate to following traffic that it is safe to pass. Indicators are for indicating turning, and to use for any other purpose is against the law.
Accidents, including fatalities, have
occurred by drivers mistaking the indicator for a 'safe to pass' signal when it was in fact for diverging right. Drivers
behind you need to assess for themselves when it is safe to pass, regardless of any assistance you may want to offer. Reaching a driver by
UHF to discuss passing is a much better option.
Drivers licence renewals for those with specified medical conditions and for seniors drivers are different in each state. See what applies here.
