Holiday Driving.

[GasoLane]

Seeing as it's the silly season on the road I thought I'd drop a few hints on how to get where your going with the least amount of drama. (After 39 years interstate driving you tend to notice these things)

The comments below are written from a Truck Drivers point of view and relate mainly to country single lane roads but could still be applicable to dual highways

The main thing to remember is that the idea of driving is getting from point A to point B without impeding anybody else progress. This will save us all a lot of paperwork



# If you breakdown (or have to stop) get off the road as far as possible. Don't just pull up anywhere, there might be a parking bay or farm driveway a little further on where you can get further off the road.

# Keep away from the centre line, the enemy is on the other side and might like driving close to it as well.

# Carry a torch and a triangle (in case you break down) city folk tend to forget that country roads don't have street lights.

# After dark if you can see headlights or tail lights in front of you, your lights should be dipped. If your driving a lot at night you'll appreciate this.

# After dark don't drive with your fog/cornering/aux lights on into oncoming traffic. The same goes for the high intensity tail lights.

# Don't overtake Trucks and then cut back in sharply, it makes us nervous.

# Take a handheld CB in case you need to ask for help or how far to the next petrol/roadhouse/pub. But if you call a Truck (Ch40) talk normally, 10-4 good budgie type conversations will only be met with silence.

# If your travelling with mates a CB is invaluable (they might find the pub first!) but don't use Ch40, this is only used as a highway channel. Any long term conversations are usually 'off channel'.

# If you're towing a trailer or caravan and want to sit on 80-85 kmh fine. Most Truck Drivers are fine with this as long as the speed is constant.
Varying your speed makes it bloody hard to judge if we have enough room to do the job.

# Regardless of your speed if you are about to get overtaken by a Truck, back off a bit until he gets past, flash your lights when he's clear then resume your speed.

# Don't be impatient. If you see a sign saying overtaking lane ahead, wait until then if you cant see what's ahead. (I'm constantly amazed how many people behind me can see around the corner when I cant)

#If you pull up for a sleep in a parking bay be aware that there might be Trucks pulling up all around you in the middle of the night. The best place is to pull up right at the end of the bay

[poppa smurf]

well done......been on both sides and I know where you are coming from....good advice.....just one other thing....leave us poor caravanners alone!!!!!!

but seriously do heed the above and you may just make it home......take it easy folks

[GasoLane]

There is a lot of van people that call us around these days, or let us know that they know we're behind them and will back off as soon as we pull out.

I trust that you can actually see behind you with your mirrors? Unlike most Vic cars whose mirrors only show the driver the front of his van

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

There is a lot of van people that call us around these days, or let us know that they know we're behind them and will back off as soon as we pull out.

I trust that you can actually see behind you with your mirrors? Unlike most Vic cars whose mirrors only show the driver the front of his van

I am a poster on Aussies largest caravan forum, I have posted up some similar hints Gas, they do appreciate them, most don't want to be a pain in the **** and some don't that they are being a pain in the **** - LOL

[poppa smurf]

yeah! mate I can see ya comin....I got me a pair of big reds......trouble is the vans are getting bigger! with more gear in them

it's always surprised me that old joe blow can retire, walk in off the street, buy a new toyota v8 wagon or suburban behemoth and a bloody huge van and just knick off out in the road with no experience in towing or driving a large vehicle at all

some of these rigs now must easily weigh in over the 5 tonnes......cant drive a 5 tonne truck without the appropriate licence and yet we can jump in one of these combo's

way past time for a different class of licence I reckon......anyhoo! I'll shut up, I'm hi-jacking another thread!

[OffRoadFalcon]

Great tips.

I discovered the gesture of flashing lights when a truck passes a few months ago, and of course always slow down to help them get past.
Told my Mum and she immediately thought it'd be a agressive thing to do. I won the argument by trying it later that day, and have ever since!

I've had a few big semis decide to ride on my tail before, which is a bit unnerving if a roo or some other obstacle appeared in front of me! Usually this is on 110km/h marked roads, and being a Learner in WA, I'm limited to 100 (pointless nonsense!)... so everyone sits there peering at the specs of dust on the tailgate!
To anyone I've held up, sorry, it's the law to be a hazard...

[LTDHO]

This should be a sticky!!!

[mik]

good on ya gaso, all good pointers, a bit of courtesy out on the highway goes along way, and makes the trip more enjoyable and safer for every one, and a very good point with vanners and mirrors too, to often you see blokes towing a van without proper towing mirrors, they have no clue what's going on behind them.

[Stagg]

Cheers man!

Will be doing the Hume this weekend from Melbourne up to the Gold coast, and for one night the back seat is turning into my accomodation methinks aha

Are there any highway lounged between here and Brisbane that anyone knows which has showers?

[madwag]

Yeah i too had no idea about overtaking etiquette.

Are you also supposed to hit the hazards after overtaking a truck to thank them?

[mik]

Originally Posted by madwag

Yeah i too had no idea about overtaking etiquette.

Are you also supposed to hit the hazards after overtaking a truck to thank them?

usually when one truck signals another truck to come around him with one flash of the right indicator or one of the left to say not safe, after getting the passer around him and flashing him in, the the passer gives an alternating flash of the indicators as a thank you.
you can use anything as a signal as long as it`s interpreted the right way.
most truckies use the cb to guide each other around anyway, but for those that don`t this is pretty common method.

[Werd.]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

# Don't overtake Trucks and then cut back in sharply, it makes us nervous.

# Regardless of your speed if you are about to get overtaken by a Truck, back off a bit until he gets past, flash your lights when he's clear then resume your speed.

Gee you don't say... The amount of times I had trucks cut in front of me leaving only a 1 to 2 second gap while on L or P plates is simply astonishing...

I don't want to start a forum war, but if you are a truck driver who happens to be reading this, please think about the cars you overtake as well.

And the second one, well 99% of the time they're in front of me before I get the time to flash them in

Originally Posted by madwag

Are you also supposed to hit the hazards after overtaking a truck to thank them?

Leaving a gap is probably thanks enough, I can imagine how it can be worrying for a truck driver if a car cuts in, that truck isn't going to stop anywhere near as quick as the car in front, so leave a big enough gap.

[OffRoadFalcon]

Originally Posted by Werd.

Leaving a gap is probably thanks enough, I can imagine how it can be worrying for a truck driver if a car cuts in, that truck isn't going to stop anywhere near as quick as the car in front, so leave a big enough gap.

I rode with one of my cousins in the road train he drove one day, and noticed how many cars don't give much space (especially around Perth!)

So I always give them plenty of space when I overtake, over 100m if I can stay in the left lane safely that long.

I was really surprised on my first drive into Perth, as just how little space other drivers leave compared to what I usually would. I was constantly slowing down to leave some sort of a braking space, which was soon cut into again by another car!

[SteveJH]

How about:

If you are sitting on 80-90km/h, please don't speed up to 110km/h as soon as you get to an overtaking lane, you'll just annoy everyone!

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

How about:

If you are sitting on 80-90km/h, please don't speed up to 110km/h as soon as you get to an overtaking lane, you'll just annoy everyone!

Add to that, don't just continue through the 50 km/h zone in the next village at 70. Trucks are quite adept at speeding through urban zones too I notice.

Had my first long trip (Nowra-Merimbula) since coming back from overseas and I must say I feel safer on a European motorway at 150 km/h with lots of traffic around than on an Australian road at 100 with less traffic!

For one thing, I was never, ever overtaken by a truck in Europe, it just doesn't happen. The truck driving is downright scary here, too aggressive and too fast. Show consideration to truck drivers? It's enough of a job avoiding getting killed by one. Six months freedom from having your mirror filled with the grille of a B double when you're already doing 10-15 over the speed limit was really nice. It's like returning to a Mad Max movie, that's an industry that's out of control.

Car driving varies from perfectly competent (probably the country folk) to all over the shop (most likely the city folk on holidays). In two days I saw all the road behaviours I've ever written about on AFF, including the type who do 70-80 in a 100 zone, never pull over, accelerate to 100 in overtaking lanes and plough through 50 km/h villages at 70, when you lose them, only to catch up later in the 100 where they're still doing 70.

I don't think these folk would understand any rules of courtesy, so lost are they in their own little world. The OP points on this thread are good but the people who really need to hear them won't.

I'm also disappointed at the absence of daytime headlight use on country roads, an important little safety measure.

And what's with the police cars here? Does somebody get their rocks off covering them in lurid colours and bristling with aerials like something out of Star Wars? After the unobtrusive Skodas and VWs in Europe, where you didn't feel threatened unless you were doing something really stupid, here it reeks of Big Brother/Nanny intimidation, almost military. Do 2 ks over and you'll see the blue light sonny.

I had one on my tail all the way from Bega to Merimbula so I set the cruise control by the GPS and defeated the Office of State Revenue that way, but I had the clear impression I was just a naughty little boy (in spite of 40 years driving) who had to be watched and kept under control. Phew what a difference from European driving that is. I think I'll just sell the Ford and stay at home in future!

[prydey]

Originally Posted by new2ford

and I must say I feel safer on a European motorway

so you keep telling us mate. time to change the record. its getting old.


Gaso - good thread mate. you might want to stay indoors around 16th Feb too, as i'll be heading through again.

[TZENU]

Originally Posted by new2ford

Show consideration to truck drivers? It's enough of a job avoiding getting killed by one.

Wow... Just wow... Do you actually believe your own dribble?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

How about:

If you are sitting on 80-90km/h, please don't speed up to 110km/h as soon as you get to an overtaking lane, you'll just annoy everyone!

i'd love to know the mentality behind the reason why some folk do this.

my take on it is, when the road opens up a bit, ie, becomes 2 lanes, the driver feels more comfortable to do the 110 limit, and so speeds up with little awareness of what is going on behind them.

also, there would be those who are well aware of the line of traffic behind but feel they are doing everyone a favour by 'enforcing' their own speed limit on others.

thankfully when i travel every year (drive to adelaide - brisbane) its mostly outside of holiday periods and most people now prefer to fly, so traffic is a rarity. also, i realise its a small snapshot of life on the highway, but in the 15 years or so that i've been doing the journey, i could count on one hand the amount of times i've been overtaken by a truck.

[Yellow_Festiva]

I always flas my hazzards once as a thank you when someone shows courtesy to me on the road.

Another tip I would like to add is to drive when you are generally awake. Ie if you have a 10 or 12 hr run ahead of you get an early nights sleep and perhaps wake an hr or 2 earlier than normal to start. NEVER do it after a days work or when you will be arriving very late at night when you would generally be falling asleep.

A timely reminder for all who still enjoy a road trip I'm off to Bris / surrounding areas next week then will return to Sydney only to continue on to Melbourne - should be a nice drive ;)

[XBROO]

There's good and bad drivers in cars as well as trucks. When I drove to Dubbo it was the middle of the night and it felt safer, then driving back in the day time. As there was hardly anybody on the road. But coming home I found idiots in trucks and cars, as well as caravan and RV drivers.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by XBROO

There's good and bad drivers in cars as well as trucks. When I drove to Dubbo it was the middle of the night and it felt safer, then driving back in the day time. As there was hardly anybody on the road. But coming home I found idiots in trucks and cars, as well as caravan and RV drivers.

There are of course many times more bad car drivers. Years ago I used to travel at night when the Hume was full of trucks only and frankly it was a pleasure sharing with them because they knew what they were doing.

My point is about the level of aggression (perhaps forcefulness is a better word) in some truck driving, tailgating and the general level of speed which is dangerous - not only the legal speed limit which is a little too high, but particularly the exceeding of the legal limits. 100 upwards is just too fast for such a vehicle from a safety aspect.

[Stagg]

Originally Posted by new2ford

There are of course many times more bad car drivers. Years ago I used to travel at night when the Hume was full of trucks only and frankly it was a pleasure sharing with them because they knew what they were doing.

My point is about the level of aggression (perhaps forcefulness is a better word) in some truck driving, tailgating and the general level of speed which is dangerous - not only the legal speed limit which is a little too high, but particularly the exceeding of the legal limits. 100 upwards is just too fast for such a vehicle from a safety aspect.

True that, I also find that on a motorbike, trucks are actually a lot more careful around you than cars are for some reason...

[lilmattie]

Drive with your headlights on, even during the day.

People tend to notice you easier.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by lilmattie

Drive with your headlights on, even during the day.

People tend to notice you easier.

Best advice IMO. I've done it since I started driving.

[noflac52]

Originally Posted by lilmattie

Drive with your headlights on, even during the day.

People tend to notice you easier.

I can't disagree with that people do see you easier but being a motorcycle rider as well as driver I prefer the cars to drive with their headlights off during the day because headlights on is one of the best ways for a rider to be noticed at anytime and when everyone has them on it diminishes the effect.
A bit like reflective vests. When only people who needed them for safety reasons wore them they were noticed a lot more, now everyone wears them and no one really takes much notice of them anymore.

As for holiday riding, I used to ride an 1100cc roadbike to work on the F3 freeway until one day during holiday time I got hit at 110km/hr by a driver changing lanes without looking. I was punted across 2 lanes before I regained control and the driver just kept on going. I was pushed out of my lane twice more before I got home in a slightly frazzled state. I then told my wife that it was my last commute on the bike and that I was going back to motorcycle racing again as it was much safer.
These were holiday drivers, not the experienced commuters and professional drivers that I usually travelled with.

I went back to racing and was much calmer. lol!

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by lilmattie

Drive with your headlights on, even during the day.

People tend to notice you easier.

I do this most of the time. Every now and then I still have people tell me I have my lights on during the day, like I am unaware that they are on.
I don't even explain it anymore, just reply with "I know"

[mik]

Originally Posted by new2ford

There are of course many times more bad car drivers. Years ago I used to travel at night when the Hume was full of trucks only and frankly it was a pleasure sharing with them because they knew what they were doing.

My point is about the level of aggression (perhaps forcefulness is a better word) in some truck driving, tailgating and the general level of speed which is dangerous - not only the legal speed limit which is a little too high, but particularly the exceeding of the legal limits. 100 upwards is just too fast for such a vehicle from a safety aspect.

right ...............and you being an expert on heavy vehicle dynamics

[XR6_661]

Driving from Tom Price to Exmouth today. 660ish km I think....Leaving at midday.

Longest distance I've driven by myself.

As it’s pretty remote, got a couple of big 10L waters, tools, etc…It’s a fairly heavily used road though.

The people I’m meeting over there did the drive yesterday, put in fuel at Nanutarra…$1.93p/L

Can’t wait to get out on the boat tomorrow and chase some marlin!!

[poppa smurf]

I'd like to see the "B" double doing 10 - 15 kilometres over the posted limit.....love to be the fly on the wall when the results get back to the boss from his onboard putey thingy

B doubles/triples and road train operators are the best on the planet and by far the most experienced and safest

I often pull in behind one of these on long treks because it is the safest place on the road.....in the cradle I used to call it.....in the city I pull alongside and go with them

far from denigrating them I praise their ability

a lot of dribble around concerning trucks.....lets not spread more here from such a fine thread

well done Gasoline......keep up the good work....you stay safe yourself, a lot of fools out there in cars waiting to kill you

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

I'd like to see the "B" double doing 10 - 15 kilometres over the posted limit.....love to be the fly on the wall when the results get back to the boss from his onboard putey thingy

B doubles/triples and road train operators are the best on the planet and by far the most experienced and safest

I often pull in behind one of these on long treks because it is the safest place on the road.....in the cradle I used to call it.....in the city I pull alongside and go with them

far from denigrating them I praise their ability

a lot of dribble around concerning trucks.....lets not spread more here from such a fine thread

well done Gasoline......keep up the good work....you stay safe yourself, a lot of fools out there in cars waiting to kill you

Serious...?

Hows this, 12 months ago the interstate B-doubles were delivering our freight by 8.00am 5 days a week.
When that fella plowed into them folk in NSW and the police started their crackdown on speeding trucks our freight instantly became delayed by 2+ hours every day, it was that bad my rostered start time was put back to save me sitting around waiting on the book.
The 'bosses' dont give a toss until you get caught and drag their name into it.

And the worst place you could hang around is beside a semi in metro areas as it prevents them from dodging around idiots who dont know what they are doing.
I know it was one of the things that p'd me off daily, backing down and winding up again coz some clown liked the shade my tautliner provided them and prevented me from moving around parked cars etc.