Hi All,
We would like to know if anyone has experienced any trouble by truck drivers trying to push you off the road, if you cant find a spot to pull over quick enough for them to pass.
We had heard some stories last night that makes you a  b it nervous. Is the stretch of road notorious for make believe break downs from indiginous australians trying to make you pull over to rob you or worse? I would like to know if anyone has experienced this accurances.

Cheers Kathryn

It pays to use all the courtesy you can muster on this country's roads. I have found the majority of truck drivers very understanding, but we all must make allowances.
I call any truck approaching from behind to inform them of my cruising speed, or at the very least, to let them know you've seen them coming up from the rear.
Another biggy is to not be on the road at night if you can avoid it. Apart from the road trains making most of their miles at night, there's also the wildlife which insists on trying to get into you vehicle as you drive past.
There are always the cowboys out there
who give the good drivers a bad name.
When you pull over to allow traffic to pass you really have to sit there and wait until it's clear. Just because you pulled over doesn't give you any privileges to get back on the road. The other motorists will also appreciate you gesture of pulling off the road to allow them to pass your slower vehicle.
As for those wiley hijackers, don't stop for them. They can only hassle you if you let them. If word goes out about what they're up to, no one will stop and they'll stop their activities. They'll probably cook up some other bludging scheme, but just don't fall for it. If they're dark, the car is a bomb and there's more than , keep right on going.
It's all about courtesy on both sides at all times.
Cheers Chris

-- Edited by Cruising Granny on Tuesday 1st of September 2009 07:36:57 PM

I always try to talk to the truckies as they aproach from either direction and by and large have had no problems. There is another side to the coin as well when you see a truck held up by 3 or 4 vans all doing 90 and not enough room between them for a truck to get in or a van that pulls out to pass on overtaking lanes and uses the full length only to slow everyone else when  going down again. Believe me it happens and i think we have all seen it. I just try to remember I am out there enjoying myself while to the truckies time and distance and therefore best possible speed is money in the paypacket or not.

Allways try to talk to any truck,buss or any other heavy vehicle coming up behind you.I hope you have a uhf radio fitted to your vehicle. If not Get one fitted at your next stay.this is the only way you will be able to let them know that you are aware of them.Tell them that you will get out of their way as soon as possible. Most will be ok with that.Also as others have said do not bunch up when closing another vehicle keep plenty of space between each to alow other faster/bigger vehicles room.One more thing to keep in mind that road trains in the Territory are huge. Remember the open road speed limit up here is 130 kph.some road trains will do this speed. If you try it towing your van that would just be plain silly. Please try and let them pass if (and only if) you think is safe to do so. As to the next part of your question. I believe we all have an obligation to offer help if it is needed. My way with a broken down vehicle, be it be driven by anyone (black white or brindel) is to stop past or before the vehicle at a safe distance and find out by voice what the problem is. Do not let any one come to your vehicle unless you feel comfitable with them.Please do not be put off by anything you hear about the track. Yes some bad things have happened on it but from what ive read and heard this also happens else ware.One more thing if you are in any doubt note the milage on your trip meter and inform the police at your next town.If you come across an obvious recent smash/ collision of course this is a different matter. I think we all have a responsibility to assist in such matters. Hope this helps. should have said this in the begining welcome to the mob and hope you enjoy the Territory Safe travelling Jack.

Thanks for the advise,we haven't got a uhf yet,but I think we better by the sounds of it,We are in Roxby Downs at the minute,maybe we should have a look around for one. cheers Kathryn

Well G,day we done it    yabba dabba 181/2 thousand Ks later and not one hassle with any truckies I used my cb told them my speed asked for a flash when they could pass then when they were out to pass i backed off  worked well some would say i cant pass for 5/6 ks  but one word of advise never shift to the gravel verge  they dont like stones tossed at them.
 Dave the Drongo

Glad to see you guys back.  Hope you had a great trip.  How about some stories and piccys.

We had our UHF fitted last week.   Came in handy during the fires down here last weekend.

Again welcome back.

Ma

I have not experienced much trouble on the Stuart, sure excercise caution when stopping to assist at a breakdown but that is common sense. Trucks do seem to think they own the road, on the Stuart I found in the main they were reasonably courtious, mind you I usually travel at around the speed limit (YES IT IS ILLEGAL TO TRAVEL AT A SPEED OF 20km/ph LESS than the posted speed limit) so I don't get in their way. On the other hand the Newell is a contiuous venue for an accident just waiting to happen, the truckies on the Newell seem to be a bunch of cowboys, trucks overtaking trucks overtaking cars etc.....

Gday

Basil wrote
(YES IT IS ILLEGAL TO TRAVEL AT A SPEED OF 20km/ph LESS than the posted speed limit)

Can you provide conformational of this statement Basil ?

First of all, Hallo everyone I am back, or more to the point, the computer is back - in the land of the living!

Now in the last 5 years I have been based in Darwin but have done a trip South 4 years out of 5, I have had no trouble at all travelling up and down the Stuart Hwy.

Just remember, don't travel after dusk - too much wildlife!

If someone appears to be broken down I always let them know that I will let the next roadhouse know or call ahead when I am in mobile range.  I will never leave a person out there wondering, I would not like that to happen to me and I will not do it to someone else.

In the season the Stuart Hwy is fast becoming quite busy, lots of travellers.

Take care and enjoy!

Oh and if you are still to do the top bit Dunmarra is a good meal and a nice enough campover at a good price!

Annie

Mick themungrel wrote:

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Gday

Basil wrote
(YES IT IS ILLEGAL TO TRAVEL AT A SPEED OF 20km/ph LESS than the posted speed limit)

Can you provide conformational of this statement Basil ?

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I did post the exact wording in here somewhere, it's one of the very rare rules that applies to the entire country. I'll try and dig up the relevant "act" and post it.... It is actually classed as "Dangerous Driving, causing obstruction to traffic flow on the Highway in non suburban areas"

 

-- Edited by Basil Faulty on Wednesday 2nd of September 2009 10:22:25 PM

hi.      and in victoria,if you are doing 80kph,or there abouts.   the highway police can remove your number plate,and you have to call a tow truck to remove the car from the side of the road.      the police consider that you haven't got enough skills, and therefor you are a accident about to happen.        this law should be for all over australia.   i can understand people just doing 80/85 and trying to get a good fuel economy out of there car   "but"      you must relise if the speed limit is 100klm's and the road is very busy,you cant hold up all the traffic.

Gday
Thanks Basil I would like to see the relevant act or regulation for that . I know that in WA on 1 freeway it is law but in the rest of Australia to the best of my knowledge there is none .

kenmarg wrote
hi. and in victoria,if you are doing 80kph,or there abouts. the highway police can remove your number plate,and you have to call a tow truck to remove the car from the side of the road. the police consider that you haven't got enough skills, and therefor you are a accident about to happen. this law should be for all over australia. i can understand people just doing 80/85 and trying to get a good fuel economy out of there car "but" you must relise if the speed limit is 100klm's and the road is very busy,you cant hold up all the traffic.

Kenmarg I have spent a fair bit of time in Victoria and have never seen this happen .

The posted signs are the maximum legal speed.i.e 100kph is the legal speed at which you can travel.One is not compelled to travel at 100kph just because the sign says 100.Cheers.Ibbo.

Sorry folks,guess I led with my chin on my on my last response.After much reading of various states traffic rules it appears that they are all different.Not one answer could be found re driving below posted speed limits that was revelant to all states.Cheers.Ibbo.

Hi Bas ..

I think you might have some trouble finding specific reference to that aspect of "dangerous driving" in NSW ..

Traffic is in itself, a primary restriction (or obstruction) to the flow of traffic.
Look what happens on a long weekend and especially upon returning from a long weekend ..

I think you'll find that there needs to be some form of malicious, negligent or criminal intent before a charge of "dangerous driving" could be applied ..

Keen to see what you do find though .. I'm certainly interested !

Jon

Like a can of worms.One site that I did come across was a Victorian one for trainee truckies.Part of their compliance test was to answer a question about driving 20kph or less under the posted limit.If you ticked yes it is ok.You failed the test.Cant remember where I found the site but it was on Google.Cheers.Ibbo.

Well until all the States get their rules the same I reckon we can go on forever talking about speed limits.Too many little law makers trying to justify their jobs.Cheers.Ibbo.

Would wisdom, common sense and experience kick in sometime? I would imagine the item being towed would determine the maximum speed. The minimum speed should be smooth enough to not cause hazard or nuisance to other motorists. Sightseeing in its own right can be a traffic hazard if done too slowly without sufficient attention to the driving to ensure no one is injured or p.d off enough to go into road rage. Safe travels. Cheers Chris

G'day again. Yes we do have a top speed of 130 on some of our roads/highways but you are not compelled to drive at that speed.In fact the law says you must drive at a safe speed to suit the conditions. eg you can't drive in a 80 kn speed area at 80 if it is unsafe to do so. this could be rain/bushfire/fog (yes we do get it at times) causing reduced visibility.I would think that towing a van at 110 may also be deemed unsafe. If anyone needs the complete rules for the Territory they should look them up on the web. Good traveling. Jack.

Basil Faulty wrote:

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ibbo wrote:

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The posted signs are the maximum legal speed.i.e 100kph is the legal speed at which you can travel.One is not compelled to travel at 100kph just because the sign says 100.Cheers.Ibbo.

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Right Ibbo but by the same token one cannot legally obstruct the flow of traffic. In NSW it is classed as "Dangerous Driving". I'm still trying to find the rules.....

 

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Basil I take it you cant find the rules !

 

Mick themungrel wrote:

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Basil Faulty wrote:

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ibbo wrote:

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The posted signs are the maximum legal speed.i.e 100kph is the legal speed at which you can travel.One is not compelled to travel at 100kph just because the sign says 100.Cheers.Ibbo.

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Right Ibbo but by the same token one cannot legally obstruct the flow of traffic. In NSW it is classed as "Dangerous Driving". I'm still trying to find the rules.....

 

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Basil I take it you cant find the rules !

 

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Actually I'd given up, plenty og stories about enraged motorists getting pinged. I'll email the NRMA legal andsee if they can steer me back to the exact legislation....