Road Safety on Country Roads part 2- Gravel Roads
December 7th 2006 13:41
A quiet gravel country road!
Having lived in the Country for most of my life, I have heard some really sad stories of people dying on gravel roads, some in unusual circumstances. I have also heard of serious injuries that leave physical and mental scars on those involved. So the hints I can give you now come from real situations – and as I said in Part One, if this means there is a voice in your head telling you to take care – then I have achieved my objective.
gravel roads have soft edges – and some have soft centres too,
gravel roads have pot holes,
gravel roads have trees closer to the road and fewer road side markers,
gravel roads are more likely to have branches fallen across the road,
gravel roads have narrower bridges,
gravel roads often have BIG farm machinery traveling along them with lights flashing,
and gravel roads are often not really made for two vehicles – especially when vehicles tend to stay in the middle to avoid the soft edges and there are no white lines to divide them.
So a slower speed is essential.
In Australia, gravel roads can also invite extra animal life on it – kangaroos, sheep, cattle, - we nearly hit a deer in Tasmania and had an Emu decide to race us in Northern N.S.W. So keep your eyes pealed, and be careful.
Apart from dust, some vehicles will flick up stones – some of which may break or crack windscreens. These days windscreens are made to crack not shatter, so things are a little safer – but you will still think you have been shot at when you hear the sound, so be prepared. And as a courtesy – again slow down as you are less likely to throw up stones if you are slower.
You may think that if you are in a four wheel drive that you are safer. Statistics are proving that you are no more safe than any other vehicle – in fact many of these roll more easily. So don’t believe all those ads and do your homework about your vehicle’s capabilities.
Be patient. You usually won’t be able to get past that semi-trailer or that farmer’s tractor, so just wait a while and they will probably let you go past when they can, provided you show courtesy and patience. It’s a minor inconvenience but will save a major inconvenience of six months in traction. Also, all farmers appreciate it if you are patient and stop when you come across a mob of sheep being moved from one paddock to another. Believe me, they will get out of your road quicker if you stop and let the dogs do their job rather than if you try and plough your way through - scattering the sheep in every direction. You may even get to meet a local!
A hint to those who are venturing out to a life in the bush – if you have never driven on gravel roads, do yourself a favour and go and have some defensive driving lessons – especially on how to handle a skid – it could save your life.
If these last two posts have been too serious for your liking, be assured I will return with more joy next time. I just hope you are all still around to read them too! Drive carefully!
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