Dangers of Rural driving and how to stay safe on country roads

Australia is the land of wide-open roads and rural driving is a daily part of life for many. No matter how many driving years you have under your belt, there’s one factor common for all country road travellers in Australia. Country roads can be unpredictable, with potential hazards that you may not be aware of in urban areas.  

Learn more about keeping your country road travel around Australia safe and incident-free. 

Rural driving around Australia 

All areas outside Australia’s major cities are considered to be ‘rural and remote.’ Around 28% of Australia’s population live in regional and remote areas. However national crash statistics indicate that nearly 65% of annual road deaths occur on regional and remote roads.  

Read on for tips on how to stay safe during your country road travel: 

How to stay safe while rural driving on country roads

• Plan your journey:  If your journey involves country road travel map out your route, so you know which towns to stop in for adequate breaks to help break up the journey

• Obey the road rules: Be aware of differing rules from state to state in Australia, including those that are a little unexpected

• Reduce your speed to suit the driving conditions: Rural driving is vastly different to urban driving, and the conditions of the roads can change in an instant. Dirt, gravel and unsealed roads are common in country road travel and they may not be as regularly maintained, with unexpected potholes, ruts and corrugations. Slow down and allow a greater margin for error (e.g. a longer stopping distance, or to maintain control around corners)

• Be alert for roadkill and wildlife: Cars and animals are a combination best avoided. If you’re driving at dusk and dawn, be mindful that this is when animals can be most active. If you notice roadkill, slow down and stay alert. Hitting kangaroos with a car is most likely at dawn or dusk or when you’ve seen roadkill. They can be unpredictable and it’s easier to avoiding hitting a kangaroo with a car if you’re driving defensively

• Know how to navigate narrow roads: A lot of rural driving involves single lane roads, with little to no room to safely move over. Blind corners can also pose problems: the key is showing patience and slowing down when needed

• Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy, registered and in good mechanical working order: If you have vehicle difficulties, pull over to a safe, off the road location ensuring you can move around outside the car safely and that your hazard lights are flashing

• If it is flooded, forget it: Don’t risk your safety — never drive through flood waters

• Country road travel can involve distance and isolation: Plan your rural driving route so you don’t run out of fuel food and water

• Keep your loved ones informed of your journey: Be sure to let them know you’re planned route for country road travel, including the time you expect to arrive at your destination

• Be aware of different types of vehicles that use rural roads: including road trains, large trucks, industrial vehicles and agricultural machinery. Extra precautions should be taken when driving around these vehicles, for example:

  • If you’re overtaking a road train, allow sufficient time to safely pass them (they can be up to 53.5m)

  • Agricultural machinery can be wider than the roads themselves, so showing a bit of patience around these vehicles is a must

• Telephone reception: Not all rural areas will have phone coverage. If you’ll be travelling on country roads for long periods of time, you may need a satellite phone

• Livestock, gates and cattle grids: Gates and cattle grids usually have signage to indicate their usage. They can cause serious damage to vehicles if you drive over them unaware, or if they’re not well maintained. Slow down if you see the signs – and it may also be that livestock could be crossing the road ahead

• Dust: Bulldust can be common while rural driving. It’s a very fine, talcum powder-like dust which can settle in potholes, effectively disguising its existence. If you hit a pothole at speed, you can seriously damage your vehicle. Dust can also cause low visibility when disturbed by passing or overtaking vehicles

Country road travel at night

• Animals and headlights: Some livestock or wildlife may be paralyzed by the glare of your headlights. If you see roadkill or an animal crosses your path, slow down, flash your headlights and use your horn until they have moved out of your way. If possible, don’t swerve around animals as this can cause you to roll your car, especially at moderate to high speeds

• Oncoming vehicle using high beam headlights: If an oncoming vehicle is using their high beams, slow down and focus on the road immediately ahead of you, using the road markings to help keep your bearings

• Take regular breaks and try to avoid driving at times you would normally be asleep: Fatigue contributes to 20-30% of Australian road deaths and serious injuries. The risk of a fatigue-related fatal crash is four times higher late at night and early in the morning. Most annual road deaths occur between 10pm and 6am. If you can’t avoid rural driving at night, be alert for the early warning signs of fatigue and pull over to rest when needed

Shine Lawyers - we’re here to help

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident while rural driving or as part of your country road travel, you may be able to make a claim. Our team of motor vehicle claim experts can guide you through the legal process to help you get your life back on track. Get in touch today and make an obligation-free appointment or use our free online booking tool to check if you have an eligible claim.