Dirt Road Death Trap Exposed

It might be pretty wet down south right now, but other than a few spots, the northern part of Australia is sunny and dry right now. We all know what this means – it’s time for the annual migration north for us. That’s right, 1000s of you travellers, myself included, are making our way up the map in search of warmth and sun.

Now last time I went north, I travelled up the Peninsula Development Road in Cape York, as well as along the Savannah Way – which we know are mostly dirt roads – and the amount of travellers driving dangerously astounded me. Yes, the majority were young hooligans heading north to go 4WDing, but it still shocks me how many caravanners hit these roads without knowing exactly how to tow on dirt roads, how to use a UHF and how to deal with trucks and oncoming traffic

Let’s look at some statistics that might shock you; 16 people have died this year on remote roads in Northern QLD, and with the busiest off-road tourism period yet to begin we’re worried there’s going to be a lot more. “There have been lots of fatalities in the past and if people aren’t educated properly, then more caravanners will die,” says Ray Clark – our Cape York correspondent. We all love to get out on the dirt road and travel North, but we need to make sure we do it safely otherwise more travellers are going to become part of the statistics.

The Peninsula Development Road (PDR) is the main transport link to Cape York and sees thousands of tourists and trucks each year. Running from Lakeland to Weipa at a distance of 570km, there’s over 300km of unsealed and heavily corrugated road. That’s a lot of dirt to navigate. “It all comes down to inexperience… Unfortunately a lot of travellers that visit the Cape don’t know how to drive to the conditions,” Ray says.

Even the local police have noticed a disturbing trend with the increase of visitors to the area. We spoke to Constable Morgan Mann from Bamaga police station who said, “The most common incidents we see on the dirt roads up here, are both single vehicle accidents and rear end collisions. The single vehicle incidents are normally due to a misjudgement of corners and speed combined. Drivers need to slow down when passing through the dust of another vehicle and should have their head lights on at all times.”

You only need to witness a few close calls bought on by uneducated or downright stupid behavioura to realise how dangerous driving on the red stuff can be. “If there’s one thing that gets us locals worked up, it’s the way some visitors to the Cape drive on the gravel roads like the PDR,” Ray says.

Constable Mann made it clear; “Driving on dirt is much different to driving on sealed roads, and can be very unpredictable, and can change within a few hundred metres.”

It’s the little things that are going to stop you and your loved ones from becoming one of the statistics this season. Everyone who intends on heading down remote dirt tracks this year should endeavour to arrive safely, so slow down and don’t rush.

Ray Clark has put together his top three driving tips when travelling remote tracks, check out the video below to see what he has to say.

Have you had any close calls on the dirt, or seen stupid behaviour? I want to hear your thoughts on this  subject. Send me an email -  [email protected].