Summer holidays are just about here, and big road trips are ahead for lots of people who aren’t particularly used to driving outside the city.
Driving on highways and regional roads can be challenging. You need a different mindset, and to use different skills than in city driving.
Here are some tips to get you and your car ready for the a big drive.
CHECK THE CAR
+ Start with a walk-around.
+ Check all the lights and indicators are working.
+ Check the tyres have enough tread and that they are inflated to the correct pressure. The tyres should have a minimum of 1.5mm of tread, and you can usually find the correct tyre pressures in the car manual, on the tyres, or inside the door jamb of your car. It is generally 30-35PSI, but it can vary depending on the weight of the car and the amount of people and luggage in it.
+ While you’re at it, don’t forget to check your spare wheel and that your jack and associated tools are there.
+ Pop the bonnet to check the oil and coolant are at the correct levels, and take a good look at all the hoses to make sure there are no signs of leaks or wear and tear.
+ It’s a little trickier to check your brakes, but it is arguably the most important thing. Depending on the type of wheels you have, you may be able to see if the pads are worn without removing the wheel. If you can see the brake calliper, there’s a chance you can also see how much wear there is on the brake pads, but failing that, it will require you to remove the wheel. New brake pads are usually around 10mm-12mm thick, so if the pads have less than 3mm of material left on them, you should get them changed.
+ If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, head down to your local mechanic. They can do it in a jiffy — and if necessary, change the pads.
+ Last but not least, you may also want to consider a couple of accessories. A small tool kit, a tyre repair kit (“plugs” for tubeless), an electric tyre inflator and a compact jump-starter power bank might just get you out of a tight spot, or enable you to help a fellow motorist.
Checks done — you’re ready for the road. . .
SEALED COUNTRY ROADS
Even good, sealed roads present danger. Drivers tend to become too accustomed to the speed they’re travelling at and fail to keep a safe distance between them and the vehicle in front.
The space between you and the car in front is called the “following distance”, and it will vary depending on the road conditions and the speed you’re travelling at.
The two-second rule can be a useful tool to estimate an adequate following distance.
While driving, look at an object by the roadside (a tree or a road sign). When the vehicle in front passes the object, count “1001, 1002” to measure the correct following distance. You should not pass the same object within two seconds.
If you do, you’re too close, so adjust your speed and re-test at the next object on the roadside.
UNSEALED COUNTRY ROADS
Some country and regional roads may have loose gravel surfaces, which significantly increase the risk of skidding and losing control. Adjust your speed accordingly and keep a safe distance from other vehicles to minimise the risk of stones flying up and damaging the windscreen.
STOPPING DISTANCES
Working out the total stopping distance of a vehicle is not an exact science because it is determined by several factors. Speed, reaction time, road condition, and breaking distance all contribute. But other factors such as the brakes on your vehicle and the tyres can also add to it.
It can be quite a sobering exercise. If, for example, you are travelling at 110km/h and working on a one-second reaction time, the total stopping distance is 92m. That is made up of a reaction distance of 21m and a braking distance of 71m. If you reduce your speed to 100km/h you can reduce your total stopping distance to 87m, and at 60km/h it’s only 32m.
SEATBELTS
It seems a bit odd (given all those beeping warnings) that anyone is ever in a car without wearing a seatbelt but this does crop up in fatal road accidents in WA. Let’s clear this up — the driver is responsible for making sure passengers are wearing seatbelts.
BEING SEEN
Most modern cars have daytime driving lights which come on automatically but if yours haven’t, turn on your lights. On country roads cars can easily blend into the background, and having the lights on will help other drivers see you.
Driving at night on country roads without streetlights can be quite hazardous.
The glare of the headlights from other vehicles can present a problem for drivers. We all want to see as far ahead as possible but do not use the high beam when there’s another car within 200m of you.
BE AWARE OF ANIMALS
Australian wildlife roam roadsides around WA and sometimes stray on to the road. More than 7000 collisions with kangaroos occur in Australia every year and they can inflict significant damage if struck by a vehicle travelling at speed.
About 15 per cent of vehicles involved are written off.
+While driving, look as far ahead as you can, and off to both sides of the road.
+Slow down so you have time to brake if necessary.
+ Don’t try to swerve around an animal at speed. This can cause you to collide with other vehicles or lose control on the gravel verge.
SAFE OVERTAKING
It can be frustrating when you are stuck behind a slower-moving vehicle, but take a chill pill.
+ There might be an overtaking lane a few kilometres up the road.
+ If you must overtake another vehicle travelling in the same direction on a narrow country road, be patient and wait for the right opportunity to overtake. Make sure you have a clear view of the road ahead and the time to complete the manoeuvre before you meet any oncoming traffic.
+ It’s important to note you’re not allowed to exceed the speed limit while overtaking — and it’s illegal to speed up to prevent someone from overtaking you. When overtaking, use your indicator to signal your intentions to other drivers.
+ You’re only allowed to overtake on the left when driving on a multi-lane road like the Forrest Highway or when another vehicle is indicating that it’s turning right or making a U-turn — or if directed to by a police officer or authorised person.
+ If you’re overtaking bicycles you must keep a minimum gap of 1m when passing at 60km/h or slower, and a gap of at least 1.5m when travelling faster than 60km/h.
+ The safe passing distance allows drivers to cross centre line markings, including single and double continuous white lines and painted islands to give the cyclist the correct amount of space, but only when it’s safe to do so.
+ If you’re towing a caravan and travelling in a convoy with other caravans, leave at least 100m between you and the caravan in front so there’s room for other drivers to pull in after their overtaking manoeuvre.
OVERTAKING ROAD TRAINS
Road trains can be up to 53.5m long (as long as 10 cars end to end), and overtaking one represents even more of a challenge because passing one can take up to a minute.
+ Position your vehicle so you can see any oncoming traffic, and so the road train driver can see you.
+ If you want to pass, keep your right hand indicator on to let the truckie know — or if you have a UHF radio, call through on Channel 40. Identify the truck and the direction, and ask if it is clear to pass.
+ When it’s clear, accelerate at a safe and consistent speed, and pass.
+ When you’ve completed your overtaking manoeuvre, keep your speed up until your are well clear of the road train so the driver doesn’t have to slow down or brake.
If you are about to be overtaken by a truck or a road train, maintain a consistent speed. Don’t brake or slow down, and definitely don’t speed up.
DEMERIT MOTIVATION
If you need more motivation (other than keeping yourself, your family and friends, and others on the road alive and uninjured), there are always demerit points to think about.
Double demerits typically apply for an extended period during the Christmas and new year holidays, so any indiscretions can easily cost you your licence.
If for example, during a double-demerit period, you were to exceed the speed limit by between 19km/h and 29 km/h you would lose six point (half your licence) —AND if at the same time, you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, you’d lose an additional eight points. The result — licence goneski — and a $950 contribution to State coffers.
STAY ALERT
Last but not least, don’t drive tired. Make regular stops. Get out and stretch your legs or grab a coffee and snack at a cafe or bakery and, if possible, share the driving. Oh, and leave that mobile phone alone! Put it on silent and leave it in the glovebox.