Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Road Hazards
Travelling by car within WA means sometimes having to pass road trains. These articulated trucks and their loads (con-
sisting of two or more trailers) can be up to 53.5m long, 2.5m wide and travel at around 100km/h. Overtaking them is
tricky - once you commit to passing there's no going back. Exercise caution and pick your time, but don't get timid
mid-manoeuvre. Also, remember that it is much harder for the truck driver to control their giant-sized vehicle than it is
for you to control your car.
WA's enormous distances can lead to dangerous levels of driver fatigue. Stop and rest every two hours or so - do
some exercise, change drivers or have a coffee. The major routes have rest areas and many roadhouses offer free coffee
for drivers; ask for maps from the RAC that indicate rest stops.
Cattle, emus and kangaroos are common hazards on country roads, and a collision is likely to kill the animal and
cause serious damage to your vehicle. Kangaroos are most active around dawn and dusk, and they travel in groups. If
possible plan your travel to avoid these times of the day. If you see a roo hopping across the road in front of you, slow
right down - its friends are probably just behind it.
It's important to keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front, in case it hits an animal or has to slow down sud-
denly. If an animal runs out in front of you, brake if you can, but don't swerve unless it is safe to do so. You're likely to
survive a collision with an emu better than a collision with a tree or another vehicle.
Road Rules
Driving in WA holds few surprises, other than those that hop out in front of your vehicle. Cars are driven on the left-
hand side of the road (as in the rest of Australia). An important road rule is 'give way to the right' - if an intersection is
unmarked, you must give way to vehicles entering the intersection from your right.
The speed limit in urban areas is generally 60km/h, unless signposted otherwise. The state speed limit is 110km/h, ap-
plicable to all roads in non-built-up areas, unless otherwise indicated. The police have radar speed traps and speed cam-
eras, often in carefully concealed locations.
Oncoming drivers who flash their lights at you may be giving you a warning of a speed camera ahead - or they may
be telling you that your headlights are not on. It's polite to wave back if someone does this. Don't get caught flashing
your lights yourself, as it's illegal.
Seat belts are compulsory, and not using them incurs a fine. Children must be strapped into an approved safety seat.
Talking and text-ing on a mobile phone while driving is illegal.
Drink-driving is a serious problem in WA, especially in country areas, and random breath tests are used to reduce the
road toll. If you're caught driving with a blood-alcohol level of more than 0.05%, expect a hefty fine, a court appearance
and the loss of your licence.
Local Transport
Perth has an efficient, fully integrated public-transport system called
Transperth
( 13 62 13;
www.transperth.wa.gov.au
)
covering public buses, trains and ferries in a large area that reaches south to include Fre-
mantle, Rockingham and Mandurah. Larger regional centres, including Bunbury, Busselton and Albany, have limited
local bus services.
Taxis are available in most of the larger towns.
