Caravan on Highway Sparks Concerns Over Safety on Aussie Roads
A driver’s photo of a caravan raises alarms about road safety issues in Australia
Queensland, Australia, Caravan Safety, Roadworthy Issues, Highway Concerns
Queensland: A driver recently spotted a caravan on the Bruce Highway that looked pretty dodgy. The tyres were leaning in, and the whole thing was wobbling when it changed lanes. They snapped a pic and shared it on Facebook, hoping the owner would see it.
This post caught the attention of some experts who say this kind of thing is becoming a real issue on Aussie roads. One expert mentioned that it could be dangerous, and there are a bunch of reasons why the caravan might be acting up.
Dave from Get-A-Weigh pointed out that the caravan could be overloaded or have a problem with the axle or suspension. Darrin from Weigh Your Rig added that the independent suspension might be worn out, which can lead to serious issues if not fixed.
With so many caravans hitting the roads lately, it’s crucial to keep them in check. Dave mentioned that caravans should get a wheel alignment and a full service every 10,000 kilometers. But shockingly, most folks don’t bother with that.
He warned that problems often go unnoticed until something bad happens, like an accident. Just last month, a caravan lost its back wheels and swerved all over the place. Yikes!
Dave also shared that over 80% of the caravans his team checks are over the weight limit and not roadworthy. Some caravan owners chimed in, saying they’re worried about safety too. One suggested that people should do a quick visual check before hitting the road.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia is calling for better regulations and driver training, but they haven’t backed a mandatory license for new caravan owners just yet.