Gravel Road Driving Etiquette

[GeoffA]

Had that situation on the Gulf trip, worked out OK.  I should add I mostly do it to caravanners.

How close did it get, and who blinked?.....

[oldmate]

I always let faster people go past, when you hold them up it generally ends with them doing something stupid anyway. I don't care let em go, and I keep going on my merry little way.

[nbd73]

I always let faster people go past, when you hold them up it generally ends with them doing something stupid anyway. I don't care let em go, and I keep going on my merry little way.

Possibly the wisest words so far. It's not up to an individual driver to "teach a lesson" to another, or slow them up because in their opinion they are already going fast enuff. On single lane roads, if you can't do the posted limit, and there are vehicles behind you, and its safe to do so, then pull over and let them by. Will it matter tomorrow? No. If you pull up beside their wreck in an accident 5k up the road is it your fault? No. So why worry, there will always br slower & faster drivers.

[doc evil]

Possibly the wisest words so far. It's not up to an individual driver to "teach a lesson" to another, or slow them up because in their opinion they are already going fast enuff. On single lane roads, if you can't do the posted limit, and there are vehicles behind you, and its safe to do so, then pull over and let them by. Will it matter tomorrow? No. If you pull up beside their wreck in an accident 5k up the road is it your fault? No. So why worry, there will always br slower & faster drivers.

Yes, but being the first on scene when they do cock it up, ain't pretty I can assure you.

[nbd73]

Yes, but being the first on scene when they do cock it up, ain't pretty I can assure you.

Well aware of this, my wife is a cop who has attended many fatal traffic accidents, but that still doesn't make it your obligation to attempt to moderate others behaviour. Vigilantes on the road are no better than those they try to stop. You can't be held responsible for other peoples actions in life. By extension of your theory if I walk into a stock market trading centre and see what "I perceive" to he someone.buying bad shares I should walk over and swat them on the head till they reversed their buy.

[rockcrawler31]

Well aware of this, my wife is a cop who has attended many fatal traffic accidents, but that still doesn't make it your obligation to attempt to moderate others behaviour. Vigilantes on the road are no better than those they try to stop. You can't be held responsible for other peoples actions in life. By extension of your theory if I walk into a stock market trading centre and see what "I perceive" to he someone.buying bad shares I should walk over and swat them on the head till they reversed their buy.

Hear hear

Sure there's dipShits in every walk of life, but to take the line that you know better and force others to sit behind you because they happen to be a little more comfortable at 5km faster than you is arrogant crap. Has it ever occured to the old mate earlier in his post that the people coming up behind him might be in a vehicle that has gearing that suits a speed a bit faster than his car? Perhaps forcing them to drop 5km means making them shuffle back and forth between gears instead of sitting in 4th or top all the time. Perhaps there's someone in the car that has been snakebit and needs to get the hell back to town, or is having an asthma attack. Wanker

And for the fool who thinks it's ok to play chicken with caravanners, has it ever occured to you that forcing them to pull a 3.5t van into the marbles and off camber shoulders is downright dangerous and that's they they're not moving over in the first place? Maybe it's not arrogance on their part but fear??

But yes, when i'm on the open road driving one of my MANY types of vehicles (usually a truck, or a diesel 4x4) i can't stand people who are driving slow who refuse to periodically pull over and let the 1km tailback of traffic go through. Now i don't expect everyone to have the horsepower or desire to drive at 100, but i know myself i'll pull over and let them past so it's good enough for them too.

[Symon]

What you're really saying is that you can't go that fast, so he shouldn't be either. On the other hand, when you come up behind people doing 60-70, do you curse them for not pulling over, because you know you're quite capable of doing 90-100? They probably think the same way about you. 

Actually I knock the box back a cog and slow down to stay out of their dust.  I totally detest getting showered with stones, so I avoid doing it to others.

And for the fool who thinks it's ok to play chicken with caravanners, has it ever occured to you that forcing them to pull a 3.5t van into the marbles and off camber shoulders is downright dangerous and that's they they're not moving over in the first place? Maybe it's not arrogance on their part but fear??

So them not being able to follow basic road rules allows them to force me off the road with my 2t camper in tow?  Give me an effing break.  If they can't get off the road like everyone else then they can stay the hell home.

They can do what I do, slow down and move over to make room.  At a slower speed they can maintain control of the van, that's called using their brains.  Coming at me in the middle of the road sitting on 80 odd km/h expecting me to pull over because they don't feel like pulling over is stupid.

[rockcrawler31]

So them not being able to follow basic road rules allows them to force me off the road with my 2t camper in tow?  Give me an effing break.  If they can't get off the road like everyone else then they can stay the hell home.

To throw your arguement back at you, does it then give you the right to then assume that all other vanners will do the same thing and play chicken with them?

[Marcus73]

Breathe in... Now out.
There doesn't that feel better?


Sent from the machine that goes..... Bing!

[doc evil]

sorry, should have explained myself betterer............
Unfortunately, the majority of travellers out there don't have the skills or ability to deal with an incident nor carry communication let alone an adequate first aid kit in remote travel.
A friend had to deal with a roll over where the driver was ejected and under the 4wd.

A 2 hour time frame for emergency services to arrive is something to  think about.

[Symon]

To throw your arguement back at you, does it then give you the right to then assume that all other vanners will do the same thing and play chicken with them?

My earlier comment was somewhat tongue in cheek, yes I pull over when I see them approaching, usually a good distance away.  What I find (usually with caravans) is that they simply don't move, let alone slow down.  With many single lane roads as I'm sure you are aware there is a fair roll off on the edges, so there isn't that much room to get off and let them pass, especially with the camper on.  This is when I usually start flashing lights and move more to the centre.  Usually they get the message.

[Teabag]

I guess it's simple, treat people (other road users) how you would like to be treated. Some of my simple ways on the road...
1. If someone is traveling quicker then I, I will assist them where I can to let them go. I don't need the heart ache of a clown behind me becoming more impatient and make a risky pass. Let them go and if that means pull over, so be it.
2. If I am traveling faster than another driver. Firstly, headlights one so they can see you in the dust, pull over to the far right hind quarter of the vehicle in front, not too close. This is to ensure he can see you. Try calling him on UHF to inform of intention to pass. Give him enough time to see you and your intention, should he not slow down or move over to let you go, well, it's on him when I pass if I shower him with rocks.
3. If single lane, I'm more than happy for the other vehicle to stay on bitumen and I get fully off the road. That way he isn't showering me with rocks.
4. Road trains, I stop and get off the road as far as I can for these guys. It's not worth it....
5. Drive to the conditions
6. Did I say, headlights on.......:-)

[SteveandViv]

Hi Black Pig
I must state that I am one who has intentionally stopped people from getting past me on the Tanami, and there has been a damned good reason for doing it.  People who travel at ridiculous speeds on roads like the Tanami are accidents waiting to happen, and I have attended enough accidents as part of the Desert Rescue Service to never want to again.
If I see someone behind me, catching up really quickly, I will, quite intentionally, allow them to suck dust for a while, to make them slow down.  Unless you know aroad like the back of your hand, why go fast, and nobody knows gravels that well, as they seem to constantly change.
Just my opinion and what I do.
Regards
Tjupurula

I agree some may travel at ridiculous speeds but what is a good speed for you, based on your car, may not be good for others. While every one likes to heap **** on a Pajero they are quitegood on that stuff simply because they are not a live axle vehicle so the front end does not 'chatter' half as bad, I know this as I have a few of my mates that also say the same after trying ours. Personalty I hate it when people get in my way based on their opinions on my ability. I see it to often that people are more likely to destroy their cars from traveling with tyre pressure to high and speeds to low. I'm not saying going 100 miles and hour but 80K on the Tanami over the last 3 weeks for example, is too slow in a lot of places. I'd hope people use their brains though, but I don't think it' your place to stop in the middle of the road as that's also dangerous - in my opinion. I see this a lot on the Cape Leveque road as well where people are just going to slow and every corrugation is felt.

But is some one wants to go past then I stop an have a look a round for 15 mins to let the dust settle. It's  big place so what's 15 mins when you've just spent 8 hours to get from Broome to Balgo

 

[Tjupurula]

Hi Steve
8 hours from Broome to Balgo, get the lead out of your boot mate.
That trip, which I have done several times, takes me close to 12 or 13 hours, but then, we have family in ome of the smaller communities as well, Kupitiya, Wangkajunka, Ngumpan, Moongardie, Yirili, Baylu and Mindi Rardi plus others.
Regards
Tjupurula

[HEM19X]

I guess it's simple, treat people (other road users) how you would like to be treated. Some of my simple ways on the road...
1. If someone is traveling quicker then I, I will assist them where I can to let them go. I don't need the heart ache of a clown behind me becoming more impatient and make a risky pass. Let them go and if that means pull over, so be it.
2. If I am traveling faster than another driver. Firstly, headlights one so they can see you in the dust, pull over to the far right hind quarter of the vehicle in front, not too close. This is to ensure he can see you. Try calling him on UHF to inform of intention to pass. Give him enough time to see you and your intention, should he not slow down or move over to let you go, well, it's on him when I pass if I shower him with rocks.
3. If single lane, I'm more than happy for the other vehicle to stay on bitumen and I get fully off the road. That way he isn't showering me with rocks.
4. Road trains, I stop and get off the road as far as I can for these guys. It's not worth it....
5. Drive to the conditions
6. Did I say, headlights on.......:-)

x2 - also if someone is up my A$$, I will let them know if the road is clear for overtaking.

[fishfinder]

We have done a few thousand Kay's on gravel lately and I'm with you black pig I let faster people past and appreciate the same courtesy.
I don't speed on gravel, growing up in Tassie I am comfortable on gravel.

you did not pull over for me

[fishfinder]

I sit on around 150km/hr people in front have no choice but to pull over

[DannyG]

I sit on around 150km/hr people in front have no choice but to pull over

I didn't pull over for you because I was doing 160

[fishfinder]

I didn't pull over for you because I was doing 160

[Symon]

3. If single lane, I'm more than happy for the other vehicle to stay on bitumen and I get fully off the road. That way he isn't showering me with rocks.
4. Road trains, I stop and get off the road as far as I can for these guys. It's not worth it....

Each to their own, but in my experience if you pull over all they do is put the foot down and shower you with stones anyway.  I'll keep three wheels firmly on the black stuff, they can do the same.

I think you would be mad not pulling over for road trains though - in fact many of them will pull a bit over to spare you a shower.

[SteveandViv]

Hi Steve
8 hours from Broome to Balgo, get the lead out of your boot mate.
That trip, which I have done several times, takes me close to 12 or 13 hours, but then, we have family in ome of the smaller communities as well, Kupitiya, Wangkajunka, Ngumpan, Moongardie, Yirili, Baylu and Mindi Rardi plus others.
Regards
Tjupurula

Yea, not sure why I wrote 8 hours , was not that quick I assure you. We do 7 to Halls creek and then 3.5 to Balgo. Most of the time made u is from here to Halls. I find the Tanami is good at the moment for 100 in a lot of places but you have to watch out as it can and does change, real quick.

[BernieS]

Possibly the wisest words so far. It's not up to an individual driver to "teach a lesson" to another, or slow them up because in their opinion they are already going fast enuff. On single lane roads, if you can't do the posted limit, and there are vehicles behind you, and its safe to do so, then pull over and let them by. Will it matter tomorrow? No. If you pull up beside their wreck in an accident 5k up the road is it your fault? No. So why worry, there will always br slower & faster drivers.

x3 Not my issue if an Overtaker needs an Undertaker when I've done the right thing.

[Steffo1]

Off topic a little but having ridden motorcycles out west for a few years I always hoped any oncoming vehicles would stay on centre & I would deviate. Not many did, thinking they were doing the right thing, but having a shower of goolies come at you on a bike is somewhat unpleasant  . (If you can't handle the surface transition on your bike you shouldn't be riding out there)

[Malcolm Tugless]

There's a hell of a lot of people floating around the blue planet who's opinion of themselves outstrips their abilities.

I strenuously adhere to the notion that it is not my place to teach other motorists a lesson, regardless of the circumstance.

Its a bit disconcerting to hear comments in relation to spraying other vehicles with stones, and other aggressive techniques apparently being deployed towards other drivers.

Another point, and this relates to my first sentence; opinions and abilities. I'm not going to get into an argument about someone else's perceived driving prowess, either on or off the bitumen. But alarm bells always start ringing when someone starts hitting me with fig-jam.

Some people need to get in touch with their kind Buddhist nature prior to taking control of a motor vehicle.

[KingBilly]

I strenuously adhere to the notion that it is not my place to teach other motorists a lesson, regardless of the circumstance.

Fully agree.

If somebody wants to pass, let them go for it.  I will facilitate their passing at my first opportunity.  Even if it means I need to pull off the road.

KB