Rural Road Safety Month: Driving Toward Safer Country Roads

September is the beginning of spring in Australia, marking the beginning of road trips, cruising along highways and exploring the beaches, national parks and scenic landscapes of the country. However, this month is also the Rural Road Safety Month - a stark reminder of the high ratio of rural road accidents in the country. Did you know that nearly two-thirds of all road deaths in Australia happen on rural roads? Less than a third of the country’s population lives in rural areas, yet accidents and road deaths are rising in numbers. Road Safety Month is an initiative led by the Australian Road Safety Foundation that works on raising awareness regarding driving on rural roads and in the countryside. At Onroad Driving School, we understand the different challenges that drivers often face when navigating roads in rural areas. That’s why, this September, we urge drivers to drive safely and responsibly, especially on rural roads. In this post, we’ll explore the reasons why rural roads are dangerous and how drivers can stay safe.

Why Rural Roads Are So Dangerous

If you think driving on rural roads is a walk in the park, think again! Rural and regional roads come with their own challenges and hazards. Here are the key reasons why these roads are considered dangerous:

• High Speed Limits: Rural roads often see higher speed limits, usually 100km/h or more. Higher speeds mean more safety risk as drivers don’t get enough time to react when faced with a sudden hazard.

• Tired Drivers: Rural trips often mean longer journeys with monotonous stretches of road and fewer rest stops. This leads to drivers feeling tired, sleepy, and lazy while driving, making it a big risk.

• Less Forgiving Roads: Country roads are often rougher than urban roads. From poor surfaces and improper divisions to unclear markings and barriers, rural roads present many challenges for drivers and increase the risk of accidents significantly.

• Wildlife and Livestock: Rural roads in Australia often have wildlife getting onto the road. Drivers have to be ready to face a kangaroo suddenly jumping onto the road, or any other animal or livestock crossing the road, especially at dawn and dusk.

• Limited Roadside Assistance: Emergency services and mobile reception are often scarce, meaning help can be a long way off. In rural areas, you don’t get much reception for mobile networks. Plus, poor infrastructure might make emergency services scarce, making it difficult to call for roadside assistance.

Due to these factors, country driving is far riskier than most people realise. Staying safe while driving on these roads should be a driver’s primary concern.

How You Can Stay Safe

But how can you ensure safe driving when facing such challenging conditions? With the right preparation and enhanced road awareness. Here are some key tips to stay alert and ready on country roads:

• Prepare Well for Your Journey: Preparation is the key to driving in rural areas. Plan your route and share your ETA with someone so they know to call when something unexpected happens or you’re late. Also, before you begin your journey, check your tyres, brakes, lights, and fluid levels to make sure you’re set for the journey. Carry extra oil or coolant to ensure you don’t get stuck midway.

• Adjust Your Speed: Speed limits on rural roads are usually high. However, when you’re driving, take the road and weather conditions and the traffic around you into consideration and adjust your speed accordingly. If you face climatic issues like rain or dust or have to travel on unsealed roads, it’s better to slow down and keep your eyes open for road signs and other hazards.

• Beat Fatigue: Driving tired is the best way to get into an accident. When tired, you feel drowsy and lazy, making your reactions slower and increasing the risk of accidents. So, when you’re driving in the countryside and you feel tired, it’s better to take a break, rest, take a nap if possible, and resume your journey refreshed. If you can, swap drivers so that none of you is too tired to drive.

• Watch Out for Wildlife: Rural roads always have the risk of wildlife suddenly entering the roads, especially at dawn or dusk. So, stay alert, drive slowly, and put safety first in challenging situations.

• Share the Road: Rural roads or country highways are often used for transporting goods and machinery. So, if you have to share the road with other trucks and large vehicles, stay alert and cautious. Avoid getting frustrated with slow-moving machinery or transport trucks as they carry heavy loads. And when you’re overtaking trucks, be extra cautious.

• Avoid Distractions: Driving distractedly is a recipe for a collision, especially on country roads. So, keep your mobile phone away, and avoid anything that distracts you, whether it’s music or any application. Instead, focus fully on driving.

• Don’t Drive Impaired: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both, increases the risk of accidents. It’s better to avoid it.

Make a Difference - Choose Road Safety

The choices you make as a driver have a big impact on your personal as well as road safety. Rural Road Safety Month is more than an awareness campaign. It’s a reminder for you to hone your driving skills and road etiquette and drive safely and responsibly. By staying alert, preparing beforehand, driving sober and slowly, avoiding distractions, and watching out for wildlife, you can protect yourself and also keep others on the roads safe.

At Onroad Driving School, we believe safer roads start with safer drivers. We offer a variety of driving courses, including the Safer Drivers Course, at our Sydney driving school and other branches. Whether you’re a new learner or a seasoned driver, our safe driving courses can help you become a confident, safe, and responsible driver. This Rural Road Safety Month, choose to improve your skills, drive responsibly, and help create a safer future for everyone.

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