Surviving the Highways - a guide to staying alive while wildlife wandering in WA

Here we would like to give you some tips on how to survive self driving on the highways and major connecting roads around Western Australia. This is not from a travel guide but from our own experience. We can not cover everything you need to know on one web page. This page is printer friendly.

Many people don't take the same precautions as those who are traveling to remote places when traveling along a major highway. But you should be prepared.

- Every vehicle should carry spare drinking water times the number of people in the car and make sure it is fresh. Leave a spare hat in your car incase you have to wait on the road side for a few hours. Also carry spare water or coolant for the radiator.

- Carry basic spare parts such as jumper leads, fanbelt, sparkplugs,

oil filter, tyre pump, jerry can (can of spare fuel. Do not carry fuel in a plastic container as it can blow up), torch, jack (have a strong flat piece of wood to support the jack in sand) and spare tyre (know your tyre pressure and don't forget a spare if you have a trailer). It would be handy to have the tools to replace these things but if you don't know how to replace these things just having them will save you possible hours or even days at a garage. Know what to do if your vehicle overheats. If its a hire car find out what they want you to do if you breakdown before you spend any money.

- Know how many kilometers you will get from emptying your jerry can fuel into your vehicle and then plan which route you should take to get home or to the nearest petrol station.

- Belong or make sure you have no outstanding payments to a reliable breakdown service company and check where you are not covered (I have blown a motor in a zone that wasn't covered). Is your car insurance paid up to date? Know your insurance limits for break-ins and accidents. I've been broken into and I wasn't covered. You may need personal insurance as my house insurance and car insurance didn't cover my equipment. (Check your travel insurance).

- Take more than two maps as I am continually amazed at how maps vary in their distances. This can be vital if you need a specific turn-off and the sign post is missing when you get there (which can happen frequently). Also learn to use your counter and set it when measuring how far to a turn-off. If the map you are using has been wrong in its distances already, switch to a different map, but still take that map for road names.

- If you are unfamiliar with the roads or you know the roads are subject to flooding in winter or summer ring the shire before leaving home (It is also easier to find their phone numbers at home). Lengthy detours may cause you to run out of fuel or catch you without a map. I have been on detoured roads that were well sign posted for a while and then suddenly no more help was given. But if you brought your maps and jerry-can you will be fine.

- State of Mind: Accepting that sometimes bad luck happens such as breakdowns, getting lost, flooded roads, bogged, traffic jams, carsick kids etc. The way you deal with the stress will affect the outcome. Remain calm, even though you may be scared, furious with your mechanic or worried, thinking things through clearly will give you more options. Unless a house is in site stay with the car. Do not go inside the house ask them to ring for help and wait with the car (It may even pay to mention that there are others in your group waiting in the car). When waiting on the side of the road rather than accepting lifts with strangers ask them to ring your breakdown service for you when they can; check with them where you are and ask for water if you don't have any (naughty naughty). Put on your hat and find some shade. In the warmer months don't go to sleep in the car with the windows up as the heat can rise quickly when there is no air flow. Ask more than one person who stops if they can ring for help incase the first person didn't ring for you or maybe someone else has better phone communication available.

- You should stop and help others that have broken down as we all need help from time to time. To help with your safety pull up alongside the vehicle with your motor running and door locked and talk through the open window. Also avoid giving people lifts but rather ring for more help for them from the next town. Use your judgment and if anything feels suspicious simple say sorry you can't help and leave.

- Western Australia is probably more known for its heat but if you have to spend the night in the car would you freeze? Make sure there is one woolen or picnic blanket for each person in the car.

- Check before you leave where the petrol stations are, do they take credit cards and do they sell the fuel you need. Also check there closing times as it is very frustrating to cruise up 10 minutes after they have shut and to spend the night in the car in the carpark waiting for them to open in the morning. (You can tell I've done that too). Expect to pay for water at country service stations.

- If you have broken down do not turn on the radio, inside lights or headlights for more than a few moments if the motor is off to avoid flattening your battery. If it is possible do not run air-conditioning, the heater or anything from your cigarette lighter with the motor off while waiting for help as this will flatten your battery.

- Roads in Western Australia can be very long and relenting, a lot of concentration is needed due to the amount of animals that can sometimes be on the roads. Swap drivers every two-three hours or stop and stretch if you don't have other drivers with you. As soon as you feel your eyes are feeling heavy or your vision is going blurry you must pull over for at least an hour, some people prefer to have a short nap others prefer to walk. Better to be an hour late than to not get there! If you are drinking coffee to stay awake you must drink it an hour before you drive and it doesn't help all people to be more focused so don't solely rely on coffee to get you there. Know your driving limits and stick to them. Wear sunglasses always.

This information applies to motor bike riders as well!

- Ok this is the tough one: Don't exhaust yourself before you even start your trip. Last minute car repairs, shopping, packing and repacking can leave you physically and mentally fatigued. Try to have the whole lot finished two days before you go, then kick back and relax the day before you leave. Good Luck!

- Don't feel intimidated to drive faster than you feel safe just because there is a truck, road train or other motorists following close behind. As soon as you can, pull to the side, but don't run into the stones on the verge as you could loose control of your vehicle, and let them pass. Don't follow to closely behind a truck to avoid broken windscreens.

Cattle, feral goats and sheep wander onto the roads during the day and emus run erratically across roads changing direction quickly (they can even run back onto the road from behind bushes), echidnas and bobtail lizards are slow to get off the roads during the day. (You could stop if its safe and help move these precious animals off the road). Kangaroo's, wallabies, possums, bandicoots, turtles, frogs, snakes, owls and many other animals can be on the roads starting at sunset through the night.
When a kangaroo leaps out pay close attention that more aren't coming from the same direction so have a good look in the direction it came from for the joey or mob that might be following. Some kangaroo's sleep on the road in the shade of an overhanging branch and others will stand on the road at night.

- Most towns have public toilets. Some of these toilet blocks are quite old but usually are kept in good condition. The problem is that they shut from 5pm-6pm and that is a long time to hold on until the morning. You wont find a Mc Donald's either and some service stations require you to buy something to use the toilet. However you work this out, make sure you get the kids to go to the toilet when you have one available. If you have to go "bush" then watch where you sit and dig a hole. Accompany a child as it's easy to have your mind on going to the toilet rather than looking for snakes, ticks or ants.

- Lower your tyre pressure on dirt roads to avoid punctures but this will affect your breaking ability. It depends what sort of vehicle you are driving as to what you should lower them to. Find out before you leave home and don't forget to deflate the trailer tyres too. Re-inflate your tyres when you leave the dirt road with a pump. Don't go all the way home with deflated tyres.

- Lower your speed on dirt roads as not all sharp corners, dips, grids etc will be sign posted. Drive as if they wont be sign posted and drive more in the middle of the remote roads. When passing an on coming vehicle move over to the side, but not to far, as the shoulders can be very soft, its better to slow down more and pass closer to each other if the road is narrow. Slowing down also avoids broken windscreens.

- Use the "Window Socks" ( a nylon covering allowing the air in when the window is down) on the back door windows of vehicles that have a door frame ( I don't think you can get them for sliding windows). It will stop insects from flying in through the windows and toys from flying out of the windows. Its illegal to use them on the front door windows.

- Pack as much of the heavy objects such as gas bottles, jerry cans etc in the boot of the car or behind a barrier incase you roll the vehicle. Pack all the soft things like pillows, sleeping bags etc inside the vehicle. Extra weight means its harder for your vehicle to stop so give yourself more time when breaking if you are loaded up.

- Using the Air-Conditioning takes more power from the motor and uses more fuel (I don't know how much) so if you are low on fuel or you are in 4WD turn off the air-con.

- This is not the time to learn how to 4WD just because you have the vehicle. The time and stress it will save you to simply turn around and go back the way you came can't be stressed enough. Ring ahead if someone is waiting for you, better to face them than to face a night or week stuck.

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!

- It is illegal to be driving and talking on a mobile phone or CB radio. And hopefully you are not map reading or looking at your laptop while you drive along at 110km/hour either.

- The following is a list of things you can get bitten by and what medical attention you should seek. I am not a doctor.
When you go to the nearest service station they will know who the local doctor is and where to contact them. Or you can ring Health Direct on 1800 022 222. Also use your first aid knowledge.

The bitten person should never drive but if you are on your own try calling for help first if you have to drive and you start to get dizzy immediately stop and wave someone down!

Are you up to date with your Tetanus shot?

For anyone suffering from seizers, fits, convulsions, severe vomiting, hallucinations, accidents or other emergencies phone 000 or the local emergency numbers. Ring the Royal Flying Doctors 1800 625 800 if you are in a remote area. People react differently to the different bites.

Scorpion	Nearest service station or town immediately
Centipede	Nearest service station or town within a few hours
Snake	Phone Royal Flying Doctors or 000 emergency immediately. Make sure you have had a good look at the snakes colourings, markings and size. Bandage but do not tourniquet or bite out the poisoned area. Do not walk, get people to carry you and elevate the bitten area.
Spider	This is tricky as there are lots of different spiders and some are venomous and some aren't. Go immediately to the nearest town. Make sure you have had a good look at the spiders colourings and size. Take a photo with a digital camera even if its squashed or take the squashed spider with you.
Tick	We do not have paralyzes ticks in WA but you should remove the tick with the head attached and put on antiseptic. If the head is imbedded seek medical treatment from the nearest town.
Mosquito's	Put on antiseptic and if the redness or swelling develops for more than 4 days seek medical attention as they can get infected. Check out kids legs and backs. The concern is what they bit before they bit you.
Lizard eg Bobtail	If you think your fingers have been crushed and not just bruised seek medical attention.
Goanna	You shouldn't have picked this up. If it bit you or whipped you with its tail seek medical treatment for infection or stitches within a few hours, apply disinfectant.
Birds beak or claws	Seek medical attention for infection or stitches and apply disinfectant.
kangaroo, possum or other hand fed animals	There is always a risk that wild animals around a camping ground will bite. Treat for infection and head for town. Do not feed or touch bats or flying foxes as some carry serious diseases.
Plants	This is also tricky as some plants are just spiky and others are poisonous. Wash out with disinfectant and seek medical attention at the next town. If its not dangerous to pick then take a piece of plant with you or take a photo with a digital camera.
Fungi	I'm not experienced with eating poisonous fungi but I would seek medical attention immediately and bring the fungi with you. You can die from eating some poisonous fungi.

Essentials

- Carry a First Aid kit that should contain antiseptic, disinfectant, Parasedamol or Asprin (in kids strength if necessary), assortment of bandages and bandaids (never underestimate the power of a bandaid), water purifying tablets, tweezers, eye drops, burn cream (steam burns can be very painful, no not me, my husband burnt himself on the radiator), and drinking water.

- Always listen when your kid says they feel sick or hot when no one else is. Most bites from dangerous snakes and insects have fever associated with it. Don't dismiss two small bite marks side by side as mozzie bites seek medical treatment immediately. A Redback spider bite might not have even been felt when it bit.

- Make sure the kids are covered from the sun in their car chairs. And that the car chair straps aren't frayed of loose. It is against the law to allow children to ride in vehicles without seatbelts or on the back of Ute's. Tie up your dog when in the back seat or on the back of a ute.

- Buy a portable toilet. Its only around $20.00 and it keeps bottoms off the ground. Dig a whole under it or use the bags. (This cheaper one only holds people up to 90kg).

- Make sure you check how much water the children are drinking and not softdrinks or some 'fruit' juices. Sugar takes more energy for the body to process taking vital energy away from child to walk etc.

- In the north of our state in remote areas I still find it hard to get fresh fruit or salad which is actually fresh so take some vitamin tablets to help supplement your diet for long trips.

- On long walks always have enough adults to help carry a child if they get exhausted as children can suffer from heat exhaustion. Make sure its not just dad that carries the child the whole way but share the load or you may have to carry dad as well.

- When walking check that the children are wearing covered shoes even in the heat to protect against snake bites and hot ground.

- Put suntan lotion (30+) on before you go into the car on a long trip and repeat when you get out to stretch.

- On long trips bring books, and quite toys for children to help pass the time in the car instead of lollies or junk food, save something special for the return trip. Make plenty of stops for kids to play its there trip too.

- Carry extra water for your dog and a container to pour it into. Carry your dog if it gets bitten by a snake.

Important phone numbers
Write these numbers on a piece of cardboard, and place one in your wallet and one in the glove-box. Make sure that others traveling with you are aware of these phone numbers.

- Fire, Police, Ambulance, Rescue for emergencies only, phone 000 This is not to be used for breakdowns, getting bogged or flat tires unless you feel your life is at risk.
- Health Direct 1800 022 222; free 24hour state wide assessment by registered nurses to resident and non-resident people. They have phone numbers for rural doctors, chemists and pharmaceutical information. Translations available.
- For remote driving medical emergencies; Royal Flying Doctors free call 1800 625 800 medical and emergencies only! Please don't abuse this service by calling for directions or minor breakdowns.
- Poisons Information line phone 131126 for poisoning, bites, stings and pharmaceutical information.
- Your doctor with full phone number and country code if overseas to find out important medical information if you are rescued.
- Your breakdown service company; RAC "Roadside Assistance" this is for the Perth area out to 100 km its a 24hours service phone 131111 you will need your car registration number or policy number. "Aussie Assist" is for 100km from where you live or further phone 1800 023 499
- A contact number of next of kin, on you.
- The hire car phone number.
- Phone number of someone who is expecting your arrival. Always notify the person you told your travel plans to that you have arrived safely. You can notify the Police stations of your remote travel plans. It would be better to find these phone numbers before you leave.

http://www.wrc.wa.gov.au/waterinf/floods.htm for flooding on roads in Western Australia.

- http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/ Bureau of Meteorology weather conditions phone for Tropical cyclone information 1300 659 210; Land and weather flood warnings phone 1300 659 213; Coastal Marine warnings phone 1300 659 223; Weather by fax satellite pictures 1902 935 204
- http://www.exploroz.com/InfoPages/RoadConditions_WA.asp for roads open or closed and other information on some service stations and weather conditions and some maps to purchase.
- http://www.auslig.gov.au/facts/mapproj/nw.htm If you have a laptop in the car you may get some map assistance from here. Then there's the GPS mapping by satellite but that will set you back around $1,100 or a satellite phone which varies in price but nothing under $1,000+ plan. These products will save lives but you still have to use your judgment.

You are responsible for your own safety.

I have traveled all over the state on my own (I'm a female), both in a 2WD and 4 WD and with my kids. I have seen so many wonderful places and had fantastic wildlife moments and with preparation and planning you can do it too. See you out there!