Holiday Road Safety

Speeding is the single biggest contributor of fatalities on NSW roads.

244 crashes were related to speeding from 2020 to 2024 in Cumberland City Council.

Speeding is not just travelling above the designated speed limit but also driving too fast for the conditions (e.g. wet weather and curves in the road).

• Regularly check your speed to ensure you are travelling within the posted speed limit.
• Follow speed advisory signs. This will help ensure you drive through that section of road safely.
• Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front (usually a three second gap). When travelling at higher speeds, increase the distance to allow at least five seconds so you have enough time to react and brake.
• In poor conditions (such as wet weather) drive slower and leave a larger gap between you and the vehicle in front.
• Ensure plenty of travel time, including time for rest breaks, so you don’t feel the need to speed.
• If you’re a passenger, speak up if you think the driver is going too fast.

The faster you go, the greater your risk of a crash.

As speed increases, so does the likelihood of serious injury or death. This is because:

• The driver has less time to react to a hazard.
• The distance travelled before coming to a stop is greater.
• The speed upon impact is greater.

The combined effects of reaction and braking times in both wet and dry conditions is illustrated below:

Further information

• https://collaborationhub.towardszero.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/630/FactSheet_Speed_A4.pdf
• Cumberland Road Safety Fact Sheet- Speeding Penalties
• Cumberland Road Safety Fact Sheet- Speed Restrictions - School Zones
• Cumberland Road Safety Fact Sheet- Speed Restrictions - Residential Areas

198 crashes were related to fatigue from 2020 to 2024 in Cumberland City Council

Don’t trust your tired self.

Driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as drink driving. Being awake for 17 hours has a similar effect on driving performance as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05.

Before you drive, make sure you:

• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Know the early warning signs of fatigue.
• Avoid driving if you are fatigued or are in doubt. Take public transport, a taxi, rideshare or ask a friend to drive you.
• Avoid driving at night.
• Find out if any medicine you are taking may affect your driving.
• Factor in time for rest breaks when planning your trip.
• Plan to share the driving with another person where possible

Before you drive 

• Get a good night’s sleep. 
• Avoid driving at night when your body will naturally want to sleep.
• Arrange to share the driving if you can. 
• Avoid long drives after work. 
• Plan to take regular breaks from driving (use rest areas). 
• Catch a taxi or public transport instead. 
• Ask someone for a lift. 
• Find out if any medicine you're taking may affect your driving. 
• Know the early warning signs of fatigue. 

If you feel tired when driving 

• Pull over for a break in a safe place. 
• Pull over for a nap (20 minutes works best). 
• Swap drivers if you can. 
• Stop for a coffee if you’re on a short drive, although the effects of caffeine won't help for long and won't work for everyone. Caffeine isn't suitable for some people and can be harmful. Limits on the daily consumption of caffeine are recommended. 
• Even if you don’t feel tired, take regular breaks to avoid becoming tired. 

Remember that sleep is the only way to overcome tiredness. 

Watch for the early warning signs 

The best way to avoid driving tired is to make sure you have enough sleep before driving, regardless of the length of your trip. Drivers and motorcyclists can avoid fatigue crashes by recognising the early warning signs: 

• yawning 
• poor concentration 
• sore/tired eyes 
• restlessness 
• drowsiness 
• slow reactions 
• boredom 
• oversteering. 

Don't wait for a microsleep – by then it's too late.

• How tired are you? Test Your Tired Self - Driver-fatigue test for NSW drivers

If you plan on drinking, don’t drive - have a Plan B before you head out.

Plan ahead to get home safely

If you’re affected by alcohol or other drugs after a night out, trying to drive or ride home puts you and other road users in danger.

For your own safety and the wellbeing of others, have a Plan B to get home.

If you are planning to drink, plan ahead

• Leave the car at home when you go out.
• Use public transport: Trip Planner.
• Take a taxi or book a ride share.
• Get a lift with someone who has not been drinking or using drugs.
• Stay at a friend’s house.
• Tell a friend or let someone know if you’ve been drinking or have taken drugs and don’t feel well enough to drive.
• Walk home but take extra care.
• Avoid drinking the night before driving.

Blood alcohol limits

Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measures the amount of alcohol you have in your system. NSW has three blood alcohol limits for drivers: zero, under 0.02 and under 0.05. The limit that applies to you depends on your licence and the type of vehicle you are driving.

Zero BAC applies to all:

• learner drivers or riders
• provisional 1 drivers or riders
• provisional 2 drivers or riders
• visitors holding an overseas or interstate learner, provisional or equivalent licence.

Under 0.02 applies to:

• drivers of vehicles of "gross vehicle mass" greater than 13.9 tonnes
• drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods
• drivers of public vehicles such as taxis or buses.

Under 0.05 applies to:

• all other licences (including visitor licences) not subject to a 0.02 or zero limit
• most drivers.

We recommend that you don’t drink any alcohol if you plan to drive.

Find out more visit Alcohol & driving | Transport for NSW

Driving in country, rural and remote areas of NSW can be a challenging task. Environmental factors such as different road conditions and design, higher speed limits and increased roadside hazards contribute to a greater risk and severity of a crash on country roads. Understanding these unique challenges is essential before you set off on your drive.

Whether you’re off to the beach or bush these holidays, be prepared with these road safety tips.

• Check your lights, tyres and oil to make sure your vehicle is road trip ready.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Avoid drinking the night before.
• Plan your route and rest stop.
• Check weather and fire warnings.

For more information about country driving, check out:

https://towardszero.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/06.%20RSIYW%20Factsheet%20-%20Country%20driving.pdf

Floodwater

Never drive through floodwater. Stay safe and avoid any unnecessary travel.  

During heavy rainfall or flooding, roads can quickly become hazardous. Roads or crossings that may have looked safe a short time ago can quickly become dangerous. Roads and the ground beneath them can wash away and this may not be visible from the surface. 

Floodwater can be deeper than it looks and contain pollutants and other debris. It can trap your car and put you and your passengers at risk. Never drive through floodwater. 

Before you leave 

• Only travel if it is essential to do so. If you're safe, stay where you are and avoid any unnecessary travel.
• If you need to travel or evacuate, visit the Live Traffic NSW website to check road conditions and closures and adjust your route accordingly.
• Investigate alternate routes of travel.
• For real-time flood, severe weather and tsunami warnings in NSW, download the Hazards Near Me app or visit the NSW SES website.

If you see floodwater

• Turn around and find a safer way to go.
• Don't attempt to drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
• Help keep you, your passengers and SES workers and volunteers safe.
• Contact people who may be waiting for you to advise of your delay. 

What to do if you’re trapped

• In an emergency call Triple Zero (000).  

Wet or icy roads 

You must take extra care driving on wet or icy roads. Travelling on wet or icy roads increases the risk of a crash, even for experienced drivers on routes they know well. Remember to:

• slow down and drive to the conditions
• keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front
• brake gently to avoid skidding and losing control. Brake early and accelerate slowly
• turn on your low beam headlights if it starts to rain
• use your fog lights if driving in fog, mist, or other conditions that restrict your visibility
• follow warning signs and speed advisory signs. 

If you encounter ice, slow down to maintain control of your vehicle and reduce the force of impacts that might occur.  

Dusty conditions

Dust can severely limit your visibility.

Avoid travelling if there is a dust storm, but if one occurs while you are driving:

• don't overtake other vehicles
• pull over in a safe place, stop, and wait for the visibility to improve
• turn on your lights so other vehicles can see you
• switch your air-conditioning to recirculate so you don't get dust in the cabin.

Driving in snow? Learn how to drive safely in snow at Extreme weather | Transport for NSW

Reducing risk

To reduce the risk of a breakdown, plan ahead. Check your fuel, oil, water and tyre pressure (including the spare) regularly.

Carry a high-visibility vest and a torch inside your vehicle.

When you break down

• Always activate your hazard lights (and parking lights in poor visibility).
• Find a safe spot to pull over, such as a hard shoulder or breakdown lane.
• Position your vehicle as far away from other traffic as possible.
• Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on and call roadside assistance.
• If you have to get out of your vehicle, always check for traffic – leave your vehicle from the safest side, away from the traffic, especially at night.
• Try to avoid crossing the road.
• Stand clear of the road and move behind a safety barrier if it is safe to do so.
• Do not attempt to change a tyre unless it is safe to do so. If possible, drive on a flat tyre to a safe spot away from the traffic.

On freeways, motorways or country road

• Stay calm, help may take longer to arrive on these roads.
• Country roads can be narrow, for your safety move as far off the road as possible and activate your hazard lights.

In Tunnels

• Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on.
• Stay calm, major tunnels are constantly monitored and operators will send help.
• Listen to your radio for instructions from the tunnel operator

For more information, check out:

• How to handle vehicle breakdowns on NSW roads | NSW Government
• https://towardszero.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-04/Breakdown%20glovebox%20guide.pdf