Road Safety Tips and Outback Etiquette

  • Make sure your vehicle is well prepared, include at least one spare tyre. In the event of a breakdown, stay near your vehicle. Carry spare fuel, food and water. For more information on safe travel visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au or call 13 22 13.
  • Drive to conditions. Keep to, or below the speed limit and slow down on dirt and gravel roads when your vision is obscured by the sun or dust. Dust from other vehicles, especially oncoming vehicles can obscure hazards. Drive with your headlights on.
  • Look out for animals and avoid travelling at dawn, dusk and at night as native wildlife are active and stock may wander. Ask a passenger to help scan the road ahead. And remember, if you cannot stop it is safer to hit the animal then to swerve and to risk losing control of your vehicle.
  • To report injured wildlife phone WIRES on 1800 641 188.
  • When you see a stock sign or stock, slow down – stock have right of way. Never use your horn.
  • Observe RTA and local council advisory signs and notices concerning road closures. Roads are closed for your safety.
  • Before setting out on unsealed roads (between Ivanhoe and Wilcannia) check road conditions with the local Visitor Information Centre, local council, police or motoring authority. Rain may cause closure of these roads. Special care should be taken if driving on remote and local roads.
  • Mobile phones will only work in some areas and close to townships. Always make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.