convoys

frednme · Veteran Member

convoys

the rocket · Guru

Not that i know of.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

It is always best to keep a good distance between each vehicle/van to allow for others to overtake and come back in. Get UHF radio and use.

NO actual law that I am aware of though.

RosieW · Guru

Nope, not illegal.

Santa · Guru

Nope not illegal! but, bloody inconsiderate.

Dickodownunder · Guru

This I believe is half the trouble.

Caravanners either dont learn the rules or decide to ignore them.

Regulations from the Dept of Road Transport QLD.

Dickodownunder · Guru

www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Driver-guide/Driving-safely/Driving-in-the-outback.aspx

Above from this page...

Possum3 · Guru

AUSTRALIAN ROAD RULES - REG 127
Keeping a minimum distance between long vehicles
127 Keeping a minimum distance between long vehicles

(1) The driver of a long vehicle must drive at least the required minimum distance behind another long vehicle travelling in front of the driver, unless the driver is:
(a) driving on a multi-lane road or any length of road in a built-up area, or

(b) overtaking.

Penalty: Offence provision.

Note: "Built-up area", "length" of road, "multi-lane road" and "overtake" are defined in the dictionary.

(2) In this rule:
"long vehicle" means a vehicle that, together with any load or projection, is 7.5 metres long, or longer.
Note: "Vehicle" includes a combination-see rule 15 (d).
"required minimum distance" means:
(a) for a long vehicle in a road train area-200 metres or, if another law of this jurisdiction provides another distance for the area, that distance, or

(b) for a long vehicle in another area-60 metres or, if another law of this jurisdiction provides another distance for the area, that distance.
"road train" means a combination that is a road train for the Australian Road Rules under another law of this jurisdiction.
Note: "Combination" is defined in the dictionary.
"road train area" means an area where, under another law of this jurisdiction, road trains may be driven.

macka17 · Guru

I've driven both. Private and Commercial.
Unless in city traffic. (Touching bumpers)
I always leave the gap that any thrown up stones from person in front.
WON'T reach my windscreen.
On Highways and main roads. UP to 150 yds in traffic.

Often a lot more on open roads.

WHY the heck would you want to be up anybody's arse
when you on main road travelling, Usually. Hundreds of km's a leg.

Just remember. IF you close up and a person gets annoyed.

it's VERY easy for him to swing his arse end onto the side for a second.
and spray you with god knows what.
Paint and screen cop it then.

Only time we travelled close up was decades ago on trucks.

A group together would Slipstream.
Talking to each other at 2 to 5-6am in morn when cars off main haul roads.
Was cheaper on fuel that way.

Long time ago. Younger.

-- Edited by macka17 on Sunday 18th of June 2017 07:27:58 PM

Aussie · Senior Member

If the trucks are that close that you can't fit in, get it on your dash cam, and send it to the cops. I don't know what the truck rules are but I am sure there must be something regarding safe distances, other wise they will run into each other in an emergency.

SIMPLE LOGIC really!

If a truck is not leaving enough room for any other vehicle, they must be doing it on purpose, other wise they are too dumb to drive.

I repeat. SIMPLE LOGIC really!

OK truckies, come get me.

Aussie · Senior Member

I should have added there that if trucks are close to each other for short periods of time OK, but continuously mile after mile, no,not on.

Barboots · Senior Member

I'm surprised that many didn't realise that this is law. There are numerous items additional to regular driving legalities once you're over 7.5m length. Cheers, Steve

macka17 · Guru

In the 40 odd yrs I've been driving in this country.

The worst. By a LOOOng way.. Group of people\Drivers.
I've seen nose to tailing for hrs.

Have. I'm sorry to say, Been Caravanners.

They ARE the worst..

Even the Road Trains up North. when they travel 4 to 7 or 8 together.
Collecting stock from same station.

Leave usually, plenty of distance.

One.
Basically so they can actually see.
Dust\dirt off the "Gazetted". but not yet built. ha Ha.roads,

Two. Braking distance without putting your load on it's knees.
That is not good for the beasts.

Santa · Guru

macka17 wrote:

The worst. By a LOOOng way.. Group of people\Drivers.
I've seen nose to tailing for hrs.

Have. I'm sorry to say, Been Caravanners.

Yep, by far and away the worst offenders.

Desert Dweller · Guru

On our recent trip north through Outback QLD & NSW we were doing the 200km plus stretch between Bourke & Cunnamulla. As we left Bourke two vans travelling together pulled out of a caravan park in North Bourke & proceeded to sit bumper to bumper up our backside. We were travelling at 95kph. They sat there in convoy formation until we reached Cunnamulla. Dickheads! Dropping back slightly to leave room for other motorists to overtake never entered their heads.

vince56 · Senior Member

Minimum long vehicle distances has been law for over 30 years.
When you have obviously experienced caravan owners as those responding above saying categorically NO LAW it is a worry.....
Larger Caravan licences now in force in the UK, due to issues such as above we may see them here one day hey?

dogbox · Guru

Aussie wrote:

If the trucks are that close that you can't fit in, get it on your dash cam, and send it to the cops. I don't know what the truck rules are but I am sure there must be something regarding safe distances, other wise they will run into each other in an emergency.
SIMPLE LOGIC really!
If a truck is not leaving enough room for any other vehicle, they must be doing it on purpose, other wise they are too dumb to drive.
I repeat. SIMPLE LOGIC really!
OK truckies, come get me.

should really read the post no mention of trucks in convoy they were described as vans