The Driver (Off Road)

Four-wheel drives are renowned for their off-road capabilities, however their abilities are dictated largely by the skills and preparation of the occupants. Sound preparation before you leave can help you have a safe and enjoyable journey.

Some tasks to consider before your departure:

• File an itinerary with friends, police or national park authorities and include details of intended route, duration and proposed departure and arrival dates
• Prepare a communications schedule, indicating times when you will call friends, family or authorities with progress reports (and don’t forget to make the calls once on the road)
• Understand that mobile phone coverage does not extend throughout Australia
• Hire or buy a satellite phone, HF radio, or UHF radio, get it installed correctly and learn how it operates
• Organise a good first aid kit and know how to use it. A first aid course with St John’s Ambulance or similar organisation will give you the skills necessary to take care of many situations
• Organise a good toolkit and basic spare parts for your vehicle (as noted above). Even if you can’t use them all, the good Samaritan who comes to your aid may be able to
• A basic course in vehicle maintenance could be helpful.  Focus on fault diagnosis and description as well as basic servicing and repairs
• A four-wheel drive training course will give you experience in driving skills, recovery techniques and vehicle maintenance
• Secure a spare key in a secret location outside the vehicle

Once under way, additional considerations include:

• Start each journey well rested physically and mentally
• Wear high quality sunglasses to cut down glare while driving
• Where possible travel with another vehicle
• Share the driving wherever possible, and plan regular breaks every 2 hours or so
• Avoid driver fatigue. Don’t drive for more than 8 hours a day, including breaks
• Be aware of forward facilities/services, fuel, repairs, water, food, accommodation and medical services
• If you change your itinerary, let people know and don’t forget to confirm your arrival
• Travel slowly when passing vehicles on gravel roads. This reduces the chances of a broken windscreen
• Avoid driving at dusk if possible, as this is time when kangaroos and other wildlife will most likely be on the road
• Road signs such as "Road Impassable in Wet Weather" mean just that.  These signs are there to protect and inform, not to challenge you
• Talk to truck drivers on your UHF radio (Channel 40) to let them know what you intend to do
• When travelling on outback roads check your mileage as you leave towns.  If you need help it is good to be able to say how far you are from the nearest town.
• Remember you may be sharing the road with everything from bicycles to road trains.  Allow room for the former and prepare yourself for the wind turbulence from the latter.  It is in your best interest when encountering a Road Train on single carriage roadways to let the Road Train stay on the bitumen while you move well off the road (They can’t run on the soft edges of roads because of the risk of overturning). This could avoid windscreen and body damage from stones.