Safe driving tips for interstate and overseas visitors
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Many visitors are unfamiliar with the road conditions and driving hazards encountered in the remote environment of the Northern Territory.
The roads in the Territory range from all-weather sealed roads, to little more than tracks to delight the four-wheel drive enthusiast. The Territory is a great place to drive around, but its wide and open spaces can be daunting even for local drivers, let alone visitors.
Enjoy your visit to the Territory - don't become a statistic!
Planning your trip
Road conditions in the Territory can change rapidly, particularly in the wet season from October to May. Always check road conditions before travelling by calling free call 1800 246 199 (within Australia) or online at www.roadreport.nt.gov.au.
Beat fatigue! Coffee Brake ... stay awake!
The Territory has vast distances between towns. Driving long distances in high temperatures can cause fatigue, a significant factor in serious crashes. Stop at least every two hours and avoid driving for more than eight to 10 hours a day.
Fatigue develops slowly, often without the driver realising that they’re too tired to drive safely. Plan your trip with regular breaks, and be rested before you start your trip.
In the Northern Territory, look for roadhouses supporting the Coffee Brake program and call in for a free coffee for the driver. Our Coffee Brake website will give you more information.
Truck parking bays are provided for the use of trucks and road trains to allow drivers to park safely while taking rest breaks. Large vehicles such as road trains need room to manoevre and may have loud refrigeration units which must be kept running. Avoid using these areas for your break and stop at rest areas instead.
Highway rest areas are provided for short breaks along the way. Plan to stay overnight in either commercial facilities or camping areas.
Carry extra water in case of emergencies.
Seatbelts - Simple ... Safe ... Smart!
Seatbelts save lives and the law requires you to wear a seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened. Fines exist for those who don't wear them.
The driver is responsible for making sure that all passengers are wearing seatbelts during the trip, and that children are properly restrained by a suitable and approved child restraint or seatbelt. Appropriate child restraints are available for hire at hire car outlets.
An analysis of the Territory's road fatalities indicates that more than half of vehicle occupants who died in a crash in 2005 might have survived if they had been wearing a seatbelt.
A seatbelt can not only save your life but may also prevent serious injury so always remember, Seatbelts - Simple ... Safe ... Smart!
Keep Left
In Australia vehicles travel on the left hand side of the road.
Speed
In Australia speeds are measured by kilometres an hour.
Driving at excessive speeds is a major cause of road crashes.
You should always be alert and drive at a speed that suits the road, your vehicle, your driving experience, the weather conditions and the posted speed limit.
Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop for any hazards you may encounter on the road.
Speed and red light cameras operate in the Northern Territory.
Four-wheel drive vehicles
If you have hired a four-wheel drive vehicle, ensure you know how and when to use the vehicle and how to safely change a tyre.
The handling characteristics of four-wheel drive vehicles differ from those of standard passenger cars. These vehicles, designed for both on and off road conditions, have a high centre of gravity and can be affected by winds.
It is recommended you engage four-wheel drive when travelling on unsealed roads as well as on four-wheel drive tracks.
Single vehicle rollovers
One of the most frequent types of crash in the Northern Territory is a rollover crash. A rollover crash often occurs when a vehicle drifts off the road and the driver overcorrects.
If you do drift off the edge of the road, let the vehicle gradually slow down, keeping the wheels straight, and without braking, ease the car back onto the road.
Driving with road trains
Stay well back when behind a road train. If preparing to pass, be certain you can see sufficient clear road ahead. When overtaking,
signal, move out and pass quickly but sensibly. Don’t move back in until you see both the road train’s headlights in your mirrors and don’t slow down. Only overtake when you are confident you can safely do so.
Don’t cut in front of road trains as they slow for traffic lights or when out on the highway. They need more road space than you to slow down and stop. Don’t take unnecessary risks, be patient.
For more information, refer to our 'Driving with Road Trains' campaign.
Pedestrians
Always be on the look out for pedestrians. Be particularly careful at night because pedestrians may be encountered on town or rural roads.
Wildlife and wandering stock
Many roads in the Territory are unfenced so beware of wandering stock and wildlife including birds, cattle, kangaroos, donkeys and camels. Be aware of birds of prey and other wildlife feeding on dead animals killed on the road.
Slow down and sound your horn to alert the animals to you. Never swerve to miss wildlife. This is a common cause of drivers losing control of their vehicle.
Dawn, dusk and night driving are best avoided. Wildlife is most active at these times in search of food and water in cooler temperatures. In remote areas, with no artificial light, your ability to see animals on the road at these times is greatly reduced and the risk of a crash is greatly increased.
Photographs
Do not stop on the road to take photos. Park your vehicle off the road in an area where it will not affect other traffic or create a safety risk.
Caravans
Don't drive in convoys. By law, in road train areas, longer vehicles such as caravans must leave at least 200 metres between vehicles to allow other vehicles, including road trains, to overtake.
Don't drink and drive!
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. To ensure your safety, the safety of your passengers and other road users, don’t drink and drive. Alcohol impairs your judgement, it can make you drowsy and slow your reaction times.
The legal limit in the Northern Territory is 0.05 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The safest level is zero!
The best thing to do when driving is not to drink any alcohol at all and drink plenty of water.
Vehicle roadworthiness
All vehicles driven on Territory roads must be roadworthy and registered. Ensure that your car is in good mechanical order before you travel.
Check that tyres, brakes, lights and windscreen wipers are all in good condition and working properly.
For more information, refer to the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) website.
Dust
Vehicles on unsealed roads can raise a dust cloud that may obscure your vision. In dusty conditions, pull over as far left as you safely can and wait until the dust has settled.
Leaving your headlights on will help other vehicles see you through the dust.
Aboriginal land
If you are planning to travel through Aboriginal land on roads that are not designated highways, you must first obtain a permit.
For further information, contact tourist information centres or apply to the relevant Aboriginal Land Councils.
Additional information
For further information on road safety issues, contact the Road Safety Branch.