Driving Safely
Preparing to go
- Carry adequate supplies of fuel, food and water in case you get stranded. Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound and roadworthy and that you are carrying appropriate spare parts - including a strong jack and two spare tyres.
- Notify a responsible person of your itinerary, intended route, stop overs and estimates of arrival times and dates. Contact them when you get to each nominates stopover.
- We recommend you carry a satellite phone, EPIRB and a UHF radio. Normal mobile phones do not work in most SA outback areas away from sealed roads.
- Check the conditions of Outback roads and weather forecasts before leaving towns.
Travelling
- Drive your vehicle at reduced speeds on unsealed roads. Dust will limit your visibility; take care when overtaking, especially road trains.
- Take frequent rest breaks and change drivers regularly.
- Obey road closure signs
- If you break down do not leave your vehicle.
- Use only recognised Public Access Tracks and designated camping areas. Seek prior approval from landowners on private tracks.
- Remember that Public Access Routes are located in very remote areas. On many Outback tracks traffic is very sparse, particularly in the summer months.
- Up-to-date road conditions can be checked via the Far Northern and Western road conditions hotline - 1300 361 033 or call Desert Parks information line on 1800 816 078.