Country Driving Basics

This article was first published in 2001.

If you're planning a country drive in the near future, have a read of this first. Learn what’s safe and what isn’t – everything from how to load your car to country driving techniques.

1. Preparations ...

Plan the Route

You probably want to select the safest, most convenient, least expensive way to get to your destination. When planning the route, consider:

• Distance
• Type and condition of the roads
• Volume of traffic to expect
• Location of towns, rest areas and other services (eg service stations and motels)
• Weather and its effect on driving conditions
• Number of bridge and creek crossings
• Scenery and places of interest
• Local speed limits
• Whether you will be driving into a sunrise or a sunset.

Rest areas are provided at regular intervals on major sealed rural arterial roads throughout most Australian states.

Motoring organisations can provide specially designed maps showing the best route and points of interest along the way.

Further sources of information include local newspapers and area road hazard phone numbers (where available).

Plan Your Travel Time

Plan your travel to ensure you:

• Include a break or rest stop every 2 hours.
• Avoid driving for more than 8-10 hours a day.
• Have a good night's sleep before driving so you can start fresh.
• Start your trip early in the day, and avoid driving during the night or straight after you finish work.
• Avoid driving at times when you are usually asleep.

Prepare the Car

Give the car a thorough check and, if necessary, book it in for a mechanical service before the journey.

Consider carrying the following items:

• First aid kit (ask your local ambulance centre for advice)
• Torch and spare batteries
• Reflector triangles
• Small tool kit containing pliers, screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, fuses and bulbs, spare fan belt and top and bottom radiator hoses
• Fire extinguisher
• Jumper leads, towrope and tyre pump
• Tyre pressure gauge

Check fuel, oil, water and tyres beforehand to avoid having to stop soon after you depart.

Make sure your tyres - including the spare - have the proper inflation pressure and that there is plenty of tread.

If you are towing a caravan or trailer, pay special attention to the condition of the tyres. Tyres that are only used once or twice a year can become brittle and prone to blowouts/ punctures. Check the tread and the sidewalls (both inner and outer) to ensure they are in sound condition.

Loading the Car

Do not overload your car. A heavy load in the passenger area, the boot, or on the roof, can affect the car's performance and handling, including steering, wheel alignment, headlight aim, as well as your ability to brake and accelerate.

Put luggage in the boot if possible, rather than in the passenger area, remembering:

• To place items firmly so they can't move around, and so the boot lid will close tightly (noxious exhaust gases can be sucked in through a partly open boot).
• Not to place too much weight in the boot.
• To position sharp objects away from wires and containers.
• Not to carry flammable items, such as petrol, in the boot.

If it gets hot, petrol stored in the boot can be a hazard. However, if you must carry petrol in the boot, remember to:

• Use only an approved container.
• Keep the container only partially full to allow room for the petrol to expand (most petrol containers have a marked 'max' level which you shouldn't exceed).
• Secure the container to keep it from rolling around, and keep it away from sharp objects.
• Remove the container from the boot as soon as possible.

Objects in the boot should not block your vision to the rear or prevent others from seeing your rear lights.

If driving a hatchback or station wagon, install a cargo barrier to prevent your luggage becoming cabin missiles in the event of a sudden stop.

Loading the Passenger Area

If possible, avoid loading objects in this area. If it cannot be avoided, keep the following in mind:

• Ensure you place objects so that you avoid any interference with your view or your ability to control the vehicle.
• Do not place sharp objects where they might injure you or your passengers (eg on the rear deck).
• Position heavy objects so their weight is evenly distributed inside the car.

Loads on Top of the Car

If you place items on a roof rack, make sure both the rack and the load are secure, and straps used to secure the items are in good condition. Cover the load with a light-coloured canvas or tarpaulin, to reflect the heat and protect the load. A heavy mass on the car's roof will substantially alter the car's handling and braking characteristics - beware!

2. Travelling with Kids

Travelling with young children can be difficult, even over short distances. The following tips can help make your trip safer and easier.

Before setting out:

• Load the car, and open doors and windows to let in fresh air, before children get into the vehicle.
• Try to ensure the sun isn't shining directly where a child will be seated. If unavoidable, consider attaching a shade, but ensure it does not impair the driver's vision.
• Bring a small soft blanket for children in case they want to sleep.
• Make sure all children have been to the toilet before you depart, and plan for toilet stops during the trip.

Things to do in the Car

• Keep a supply of games, puzzles, drawing or colouring-in books and toys in the car to help prevent boredom.
• Avoid toys that encourage children to be noisy and move around the vehicle. Special books on car games are available from bookstores and libraries.
• If children have cassette players and cassettes, give them headphones to avoid distracting the driver.

Older children may also enjoy listening to cassettes, reading, playing electronic games or writing a travel diary.

Using the Seat Belt or Child Restraint

Make sure your child is secure in an approved seat belt or child restraint, before you start the vehicle.

• Explain that the child's seat belt or restraint protects them.
• Explain that the child seat lets them see out of the window.
• Set a good example - always wear your seatbelt and insist they wear theirs.
• Always put a child into a seat belt or child restraint from the kerb side of the vehicle, not the road side.
• Be understanding, but remain firm and insist children stay in their restraint.
• Give seat belts a tug to ensure they are properly locked.
• Don't let children out of their seat belt or restraint until the car has stopped.
• Never carry a child on your lap.

Food on the Road

• Don't give out all the food and drinks at once. Rationing the supplies avoids them running out, and can prevent upset stomachs and carsickness.
• Try to avoid messy foods. Fruit can be cut up and pre-packaged.
• Plastic cups with lids and plastic straws allow you to freeze drinks and prevent spillage.
• Water is more thirst-quenching than milk or sweet drinks, which can make children sick, or hyperactive(!).
• Keep a rubbish bag in the car to prevent mess.

Take a Break

Be aware of kids' limits when it comes to sitting still. Rest stops in convenient or scenic locations can be almost as much fun as the destination itself. If possible, avoid driving into the rising or setting sun. Never leave children or pets alone inside cars for any length of time. If it is absolutely necessary to leave them for a very short time, make sure the window is left partly open for ventilation, and that the handbrake is fully applied so the vehicle cannot move. Never leave the keys in the ignition.

3. On the Road - Safe Driving Techniques...

This is not intended to provide specific advice in areas such as turning, overtaking, night driving and towing, however the following on-road tips may help.

Drive Defensively

• Read road situations ahead, be ready for hazards.
• Be patient: very little time is saved by speeding, overtaking and fast cornering.
• At 60 km/h, keep a gap of at least 2 seconds between your car and the one ahead and longer at high speeds.
• Travel at a speed which will allow you to stop in time should the need arise.
• Especially if you are used only to urban driving, always keep a large safety space around you.

Remember: the more you increase the load of a vehicle, the less effective the performance and braking system become.

Overtaking

• Do not cause danger or inconvenience to any other road user when overtaking or turning.
• Before attempting any overtaking manoeuvre, ask yourself whether it is really necessary. If the answer is 'no', or if you are in doubt, then do not overtake.
• Allow plenty of time to overtake large vehicles, especially in wet conditions.
• If you are towing a caravan or trailer, pull over occasionally to allow others to pass.
• Overtaking lanes are provided on some major rural arterial roads.

Over-Correcting

• A common cause of country crashes is running off the road on to the soft edge and then over-correcting so that the car runs off the road on the right-hand side.
• If you get onto the soft edge, don't try to pull straight back on to the road unless you absolutely must: slow down first by lifting your foot off the accelerator and then gradually guide the car back.

Head-on collisions are often due to losing concentration or driving too fast, resulting in the car drifting to the wrong side of the road.

High beam lights must be dipped whenever an approaching vehicle is within 200 metres of your vehicle.

When Visibility is Poor

• Slow down in poor weather conditions.
• Scan the road ahead for signs of dips or curves and other hazards such as animals.
• Be especially wary at dawn or dusk. When it's difficult to see or be seen - turn vehicle lights on.
• Watch for other vehicles approaching intersections.

Watch Out for Fatigue. IF YOU FEEL FATIGUED, STOP AND REST.

Driver fatigue causes many serious crashes, especially on rural roads.

Trip planning can prevent fatigue. Try to:

• Share the driving when you can.
• Take a break at least every 2 hours. Stop for at least 10 minutes and get out of the car if possible.
• On long trips, stay somewhere overnight so you can get there safely, even if it's the next day.
• Eat proper, well-balanced meals, at your usual meal-times.
• Avoid alcohol and medication that can make you feel drowsy (check with your doctor), before and during the trip.

On journeys longer than 20 minutes, do not leave your heater or air conditioning on recycle as the air will get stuffy. Shift the air control lever to "fresh air". Opening a window will also help.

Often drivers do not realise they are suffering fatigue. Watch for:

• Signs you are feeling drowsy, such as yawning.
• Impatience, lack of concentration or slow reaction times.
• Sore, heavy eyes and blurred or dim vision.
• Sweaty hands, hunger, thirst, stiffness or cramp.
• Droning or humming in the ears.
• Wandering over the centre-line or road edge.
• Changes in driving speeds.
• Poor gear changes.

Show this list to a responsible passenger who can help you watch for these signs.

Drinking coffee, talking, listening to the radio or opening the window might help in the short term, but if you're tired, only sleep can improve your concentration.

Drink Driving

Alcohol is a major factor contributing to road crashes. Even small amounts can inhibit driving performance, and the combination of alcohol and other drugs can be deadly. Seek medical advice when medication is prescribed.

Standard Drinks: each of these is one standard drink, containing approximately 10 grams of pure alcohol. Most women may drink 1 standard drink per hour and stay under a BAC of 0.05. Most men may drink 2 in the first hour and 1 each hour after that.

Light Beer	Regular Beer	Wine	Fortified Wine	Spirits
425mL	285mL	100mL	60mL	30mL
2.9% alc/vol	4.9% alc/vol	12% alc/vol	20% alc/vol	40% alc/vol

Speed

The faster you travel, the greater your risk of crashing, and the more severe the crash can be.