Driving Safely

Road and Four-Wheel Driving Safety
If you wish to drive in Australia you must hold a current, valid driving license issued in the country in which you live. Carry it with you at all times when driving.

Seatbelts and helmets
Seatbelts and child restraints must be worn at all times. There are heavy fines for not wearing a seatbelt or restraint. If you are riding on a motorcycle, moped, motor scooter or bicycle you must wear a crash helmet.

Keep left
In Australia, you must drive on the left side of two way roads.

Speed
Speed limits are enforced more strictly in Australia than in most other countries. The speed limit is the maximum driving speed allowed. You must not drive above this limit. If the weather is poor make sure you drive slower. Queensland have mobile speed cameras, so slow down, drive safely and avoid heavy fines.

Road marking
Where the centre line marking on the road is a single broken line, vehicles may cross the line to overtake when it is safe to do so. If the centre marking has two lines you must not overtake if the line closest to your vehicle is unbroken. Where arrows are painted on the road, you must only drive in the direction they indicate.

Alcohol and drugs
Driving after you have consumed alcohol is dangerous. Queensland has strict laws and penalties on "drink-driving" and police actively enforce them through random breath testing programs. If you have a full driver’s license you must not drive if your blood alcohol level is 0.05 per cent or higher. Driving after taking drugs that affect your ability to drive is illegal - penalties are severe.

Driving tired
Queensland’s size is over 1.7 million square kilometres, which is approximately seven times the size of the United Kingdom. Driving distances are therefore great.

To avoid driving tired:

• After a long flight wait until you have adapted to sleeping normally at night.
• Share the driving with your licensed companions
• Take regular rest stops
• Don’t try to drive too far in one day
• If you’re tired pull the car over and have a short sleep

Rest areas are located every 80 - 120 kilometres on main roads for road users to pull over and rest when tired. Facilities may be limited by usually include seating tables and shelter.

Mobile phones
The driver is not permitted to use a hand-held mobile telephone whilst driving.

Driving in rural and remote Queensland
Driving in rural and remote areas requires special driving skills and awareness of different conditions. Always carry a spare tyre, tools and water. If travelling to remote areas off major highways take extra food, water, fuel and tyres. Queensland remote areas have few towns and facilities, often with large distances between them, so plan your trip. If travelling in remote areas or planning to leave major roads tell local police of the intended route.

Road conditions: Road conditions can vary from a sealed surface to gravel and dirt. Use a four-wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads in remote areas. Be careful of holes, soft road edges, narrow roads with unstable edges, narrow bridges, changing surfaces and dusty roads. The environment can change rapidly. Always check on local road conditions before leaving major roads.

Flooded roads: You may come across water on the road. Roads may be covered in water which appears shallow but can have a current strong enough to sweep your vehicle away. Wait until the water level drops or use an alternative route.

Roadtrains: Huge trucks, known as road trains, can be the length of 10 cars. It can take up to 2.5 kilometres to overtake a road train at 100km/h. Also allow plenty of room before you overtake as the roadtrain may sway from side to side as you are passing.

Animals: Watch out for animals on the road such as kangaroos and emus. Livestock also graze on the side of unfenced roads. The most active time for many animals is sunrise and sunset.

If your vehicle breaks down: Do not leave your vehicle because it will provide you with shade and protection from the heat. Wait for help to come to you. Consider hiring appropriate emergency communication equipment.

Obey road closure signs and stay on recognised routes.

During daylight hours always drive with your headlights on low beam, as outback conditions can make it difficult to see oncoming vehicles.