Road Safety Tips for Queensland

Queensland provides you with a magnificent landscape to explore and experience by road. Whether you are venturing through coastal towns, large city centres, or are indulging in the freedom of the inland open roads, staying safe on Queensland's roads comes down to using common sense, adhering to signs and road conditions, and being aware your limits when it comes to driver fatigue.

Check out a few of our popular tips for motorists and ensure your journey throughout this captivating state is an enjoyable one.

Have We Experienced Lots of Rain?

While Queensland is renowned for sunny and mostly dry weather conditions, locations can experience short or long rain periods that can affect driving conditions and may result in road closures.

So check the weather reports and forecasts before you embark on your journey to determine if you need to make alternative travel routes.

Here are our top tips for staying safe during wet weather conditions:

• Never drive through flood waters. Depth and speed of water flow are not known and entering into flood waters is dangerous. Vehicles can stall and be swept off the road by the force of water flow. Any damage to the road surface by the flood waters will not be visible and can pose a danger.
• Always have your lights on to ensure your vehicle is visible to other motorists.
• If a sign stipulates the road is closed, adhere to this message as it is in place for your safety.

Further information on road conditions can be found by visiting the Queensland Government - Road Conditions & Updates page.

Queensland Child Restraint Laws

Choosing the right safety seats for your child is extremely important.

Don't forget that there are stringent child restraint laws in place within Queensland. We have an overview of the child seating laws below that will help you with identifying the correct safety requirements for your child.

• 0 to Six Months: Approved rearward facing baby capsule or appropriately fastened infant restraint.
• Six Months to Four Years: Approved rearward facing or approved forward facing child restraint that includes a built-in harness.
• Four Years to Seven Years: Approved booster seat with a H-harness or booster seat with adult lap/sash seatbelt.

For full information on the National Child Restraint Laws, please review the following pamphlet provided by the Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales.

Choose Right, Buckle Right

Consequences of Speeding

Your choice to speed is one that can have devastating consequences for both you and other people. In some cases, your actions will negatively impact on innocent people and their loved ones.

So while the following monetary and demerit point fines listed below may not be enough to alter your thinking on speeding, we strongly ask you to please take a moment to consider how you will feel should a loved one be injured or fatally wounded by a driver that was speeding.

Next time you decide to speed, think of the above as well as the potential to waste away money with the following fines applicable* in Queensland:

• Less than 13 kilometres per hour (km/h) over the speed limit:
  $146 + 1 demerit point
• At least 13km/h but not more than 20km/h over the speed limit:
  $220 + 3 demerit points
• More than 20km/h but not more than 30km/h over the speed limit:
  $366 + 4 demerit points
• More than 30km/h but not more than 40km/h over the speed limit:
  $513 + 6 demerit points
• More than 40km/h over the speed limit:
  $1026 + 8 demerit points and 6 month suspension

*Data sourced from tmr.qld.gov.au. Please visit the Department of Transport for up-to-date information on fines and demerit points.

Driving Tired - Road Safety Message

Varying Landscapes of Queensland

If you are heading out on a journey that will take you through the various landscapes of this inviting and captivating state, then you should be vigilant of the dangers certain driving environments can pose.

Here are a few tips to help you with understanding the potential dangers you need to watch out for.

City Destinations

Built up areas will generally mean residential dwellings, businesses, general traffic flow, and an active pedestrian landscape. Look out for unexpected actions of pedestrians and children and remember the following tips.

• Be mindful of pedestrian crossings.
• Reduce your speed around school zones and abide by the outlined speed limits when applicable.
• Adhere to speed limit signs and if no signage is presented, the default speed will be 50km per hour.
• Obey parking restrictions, no standing zones (including the yellow lines), and other signage that is there for your safety and the safety of pedestrians.
• Only perform u-turns at intersections that outline it is safe to do so - illegal u-turns may place danger on pedestrians and other motorists.

Outback Locations

Taking to the open road is a truly magnificent experience of discovery and endless possibilities. While it is a unique driving adventure, it requires being aware of your surroundings and taking extra care to be safe.

• Watch out for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk when you may experience vision impairment by sunrise and sunset.
• Take extra care around railway crossings in outback locations where signs and use of track lights may be limited or not present.
• When sharing the road with heavy haulage vehicles, remember to consider their length and speed capacities especially when overtaking, stopping, and entering oncoming traffic.
• Be aware of the warning signs of fatigue and remember to take regular breaks.

Handy Information

You can never have too much information! When travelling, it is important to have access to resources that can assist with ensuring you have a safe journey.

Here are a few resources we think are worthwhile to jot down and to keep handy.

• Traffic and Travel Information
  Website: http://131940.qld.gov.au/
• Emergency Contact for Police, Ambulance, or Fire Brigade
  Phone: 000 (Triple Zero)
• Non-Urgent Police Matters
  Phone: 131 444

Slow Down - Road Safety Message

Please Note: Car Rental Buddy provides the above information as a resource only. We advise readers to view the current and up-to-date road safety guides and road rules for each State by visiting their associated transport website.