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Navigating Adventures and Accidents: Legal and Practical Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Road Trip in Australia
Are you planning a trip to Australia? Australia has one of the most diverse landscapes in the world, from the desert in the outback to famous waves in Western Australia. Trust us, you’ll be on the adventure of a lifetime with your trip. However, much of your trip will revolve around how you travel. For instance, are you going on a tour bus or backpacking, or will you have your own transportation like a campervan?
If you’re going the latter route, then it’s vital that you familiarise yourself with Australian road rules and regulations and what to do if you’re in a car accident.
Tips for travelling around Australia
Australia is huge, and if you’re looking to travel most of it, you’re going to need a few days. To put this into perspective, it takes 41 hours to drive from Perth to Sydney on the A1 National Highway. So, if you’re planning a long trip like that, it's best that you brush up on your Aussie driving knowledge. Here are some tips to help you:
Make sure you have your driver's licence
First, make sure that you have your licence on you. In Australia, you can drive with your foreign issued driver licence on the condition that it’s valid and in English. If not, you’ll have to get an international driver licence that’s in English so it’s readable.
Learn the rules of the road
Secondly, you need to follow the rules of the road to the letter. Australia might have some rules and regulations that differ from your country of origin, so familiarise yourself with them so you don’t get caught committing an offence. Here are some of them:
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Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road
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Speed limits in urban areas are 50 km/h
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Speed limits on highways are 100-110 km/h
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Drinking and driving is strictly prohibited. You’re not allowed to accede a legal blood alcohol level of 0.5%
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You’re required to come to a full stop at all stop signs
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Never cross solid lines and use designated passing lanes to overtake cars when it is safe to do so
Keep an eye out for Australian wildlife
You probably know this already, but in addition to Australia’s breathtaking landscape, they also have a lush range of wildlife that freely explores the country. Animals like kangaroos, emus, and koalas might venture into the road now and then and catch you unaware. So, be on the lookout for any wildlife on the road while you travel Australia.
Check the weather forecast
Aussie locals will tell you that sometimes the weather can be pretty insane in some regions of Australia. With that in mind, if you’re in a campervan looking for a campsite to rest in for the evening, be sure to check the weather conditions first. Some free campsites might have horrible roads when it rains, making them not ideal for a rental vehicle to go up, let alone a campervan. Likewise, if you struggle to drive at night, then driving through a storm in the evening definitely wouldn’t be ideal for you. So, keep an eye on the weather forecast and try to plan your travel around it.
What happens if you’re in an accident while driving in Australia
What happens if you get into a car accident while travelling around Australia? Just like in any country, car accidents can happen suddenly and out of nowhere, so you need to know how to deal with them. Do this if you’re ever in a car accident in Australia:
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First, get to safety and check yourself and others for injuries
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If possible, take photos of the accident before moving any vehicles. Try to include the surroundings like signs or traffic lights, etc
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In Australia, you’re legally obliged to stop your vehicle in a safe spot and weigh it before emergency services arrive. So, move your car into an appropriate spot if it’s still operational and wait
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Exchange details with the other parties involved, like your number, name, and the details of the company you’ve rented the vehicle from
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Contact the owner of the vehicle so they can notify their insurance providers
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If there are any serious injuries, contact the police, too
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Whether you’re at fault or not, it would be helpful to contact a local car accident lawyer if a case is brought against you
In cases like this, you might want to ask the company you rented the car from about how to deal with an accident if one had to happen. Usually, they’d give you instructions to follow. Likewise, they might have their own car accident lawyer who deals with these cases for them, too. So, be sure to chat with them before renting a vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Travelling around Australia in your own vehicle, like a campervan instead of a tourist bus, offers you more freedom. You can travel on your own time and go wherever you want. However, driving in a foreign country doesn’t come without risks. Remember to brush up on Aussie road rules, bring your licence along, and take care as you embark on your adventure.
