Outback safety campaign launched

The prevalence of serious crashes involving grey nomads has led to the launch of a new outback road safety campaign by Queensland police.

The ‘Stay on Track Outback’ initiative launched by the Charleville Police District last month has been designed to address local road safety issues particularly in-light of significant increases to four-wheel drive vehicles sharing the roads with tourist caravan traffic.

The campaign, which includes the broadcasting of three 'tongue in cheek' television commercials throughout Australia, aims to highlight the dangers of outback driving including travelling at night when the chances of hitting a kangaroo or other large animal, or having to swerve to avoid wildlife, increases.

It also tells drivers to pull off the road to give road trains room to remain on the sealed section – especially on one lane highways. While this is not always the most convenient option, it is the safest and can prevent stone damage to vehicles. 

Drivers are also warned of the perils of driving long distances in remote and rural areas.

“Driving long distances causes fatigue and is a significant contributor to traffic crashes in outback areas," says Charleville District Officer, Inspector Mick Dowie.

"Speeding, drug and/or alcohol affected drivers and failing to wear seatbelts are also significant contributors.”

“Despite the excellence provided by our emergency services, the long distance between outback towns means that emergency response is not always immediately at hand,” he says

“Road safety is everyone’s business and the vast majority of traffic crashes in rural and remote areas are preventable if drivers take heed of the warnings on the commercials and drive appropriately in outback areas.”

While the campaign was developed in Charleville, it will hopefully spark national interest when the television commercials are broadcast on Imparja Television in Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

“We urge everyone to drive safely and to the road conditions, give way to heavy vehicles, have regular breaks and ‘Stay on Track Outback’ to enjoy the outback experience,” he says.

Check out the three animated commercials below, which use Australian flora and fauna to help get the outback road safety message across. And tell us via the comments section below, what you think should be done to reduce serious caravanning accidents in outback regions...