Country Road Trip Safety This School Holidays

School holidays mean fun, excitement, and family bonding time. Most parents take this opportunity to embark on family trips to create new memories and explore exciting places. Taking a road trip in the rural or country areas of New South Wales offers many attractions like scenic landscapes, charming towns, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural reserves.

However, a country road trip in NSW comes with its safety challenges. From poorly lit roads, heavy traffic, and unfamiliar terrains to inconsistent network coverage and wildlife encounters, NSW roads have many potential hazards that can threaten safety.

Learning defensive driving or joining a Safer Drivers Course from a good driving school ahead of the trip can prepare you to handle unexpected situations and maintain safety. However, being prudent and staying safe is the key to enjoying a stress-free road trip.

This post will discuss potential hazards and ways to ensure safety while traveling on NSW country roads.

Reasons for Heavy Traffic

The holiday season sees heavy traffic even on the usually slow-moving NSW country roads. While this is mainly due to vacationers, agricultural goods and freight movement also contribute to increasing road traffic. This is because the demand for farming, livestock, and other goods is also high during this period, leading to more trucks and delivery vehicles on the roads.

Combined with the regular traffic and travellers, these heavy vehicles cause congestion and slow traffic movement. Waiting for traffic movement can be frustrating, but drivers should remain patient, aware, and cautious to maintain road safety.

Key Hazards to Watch Out For

Traveling the NSW roads during the holiday season can be a frustrating and challenging job full of expected as well as unexpected hurdles. Here are the potential hazards that drivers should watch out for:

• Agricultural Delivery Vehicles:

Transporting agricultural goods involves heavy delivery vehicles that take up more space and move slowly. When you’re in the mood to begin your trip with an exciting drive through scenic country roads, such slow-moving traffic can test your patience and affect your mood. Be ready for heavy traffic and unexpected delays due to slow-moving vehicles.

• Heavy Trucks:

Driving alongside heavy vehicles requires skill, patience, and good judgment. Drivers should keep in mind that heavy trucks transporting produce or livestock might require more time to stop and extra space to turn or overtake. This slows down traffic, but remember, it is better to be late than sorry!

• RAIL CROSSINGS:

Other than trucks on the road, regular freight trains can also affect traffic on country roads. Drivers must remain calm and alert on rail crossings to avoid accidents.

While these hazards may hinder traffic and slow down your speed, staying safe and alert can help you reach your destination and enjoy your trip without concerns.

How to Stay Safe on NSW Country Roads

Here’s what drivers can do to stay safe while driving on NSW roads during the holiday season:

GIVE SPACE TO HEAVY VEHICLES:

Agricultural freight vehicles are heavy and large. So, they move slowly and require more space to overtake or execute a turn at intersections. Drivers should keep this in mind and give these vehicles ample space to drive safely. If overtaking them is essential, do so only when it’s completely safe.

Keep extra Time for Delays:

Holiday traffic and delivery trucks make the rural roads congested and slow-moving during the holiday season. Plus, train crossings may also take up much of your traveling time due to the increased frequency of freight trains. If reaching your destination a few hours late is not an option, you should plan ahead and keep extra time in your journey for such delays.

APPROACH RAIL CROSSINGS CAUTIOUSLY:

Many rural rail crossings are unmanned so drivers must approach them cautiously. They should slow down when approaching and check both ways when reaching the crossing to avoid causing a collision. Also, they should obey the rail and traffic signals at all times to stay safe from harm.

STAY ALERT FOR UNEXPECTED ROAD CONDITIONS:

Country roads can sometimes be challenging to drive. Rock and gravel roads, uneven terrains, and unfamiliar roads can lead to accidents if you’re not careful. Drivers should stay alert and drive cautiously to avoid causing damage to people or vehicles.

REGIONS TO WATCH

Some regions in NSW see high traffic during the holiday season. Knowing which areas get more traffic can help drivers to plan their journeys accordingly. Usually, some farming regions like the Riverina, Central West, New England, and the Hunter Valley often see increased truck and train activity during the holidays. Drivers can also expect road traffic and navigation options before leaving to get an idea of what to expect on the road.

GET MORE FROM YOUR TRIP

Road trips are a great way to relax and unwind, especially during the holidays. However, traveling through the scenic NSW countryside can be as challenging as it is exciting. Increased traffic and heavy vehicles can cause delays and increase the risk of accidents. Frequent rail crossings and uneven road conditions can also become a hazard in your travel. Planning ahead, allowing for extra time, and staying alert on the road can help you stay safe and make the most of your trip. Learning safe driving techniques can also help you navigate these roads better. Programs like the Safer Drivers Course by reputed driving school like Onroad Driving Education can help you improve your driving skills as well as stay calm and patient while driving. With the right preparation and mindset, your NSW country adventure can be a memorable and safe experience for the whole family.

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