Bird’s Eye View

BIRDS EYE VIEWbyCarol Messenger

A MESSAGE TO THE GREY NOMADS

As the temperatures start to drop each year, many of our older generations take this as a signal to begin their annual pilgrimage north in search of warmer weather and sunny skies. This year, many who would have normally ventured overseas or interstate are now restricted to intrastate holidays and we are seeing many hitching up the caravan and heading up our highways.

Named the ‘Grey Nomad’s’, they drift aimlessly across the nation and have been likened to snails, a name they say is because they carry their home around with him, but for us, in the transport industry, it is due to their slow speed and apparent indifference to those around them.

Whatever they choose to be called, there is no doubt that there is and always has been a ‘tension’ between caravaners and truckies.

We in the transport industry, require specific training in loading, weight management, towing a trailer, etc. However, any fool can (and frequently does) buy a caravan, hitch it up to a vehicle (often not suited to the purpose) and take off for a holiday with little or no knowledge.

And this is where the majority of the problems stem from. Just as you need an upgrade in licence from a rigid to an articulated vehicle in trucks, so should you need an upgrade in licence to be able to tow a caravan.

There should be specific training in assessing the correct towing vehicle needed, to packing the caravan so that the weight distribution is correct - ever seen a caravan being hounded by the scalies?

I also understand that they are not in any rush in their travel and that they want to do a scenic drive but to travel 20km ‘under’ the speed limit, often in convoys of two or three makes it pretty difficult for a truck to get past particularly if the road is narrow or in poor condition.

What many caravaners don’t seem to understand is it takes quite a while for a truck, particularly a road train, to build up enough speed to pass a slow-moving vehicle and we can do this, until… the caravan driver in an attempt to be helpful suddenly slows down even more below the speed limit when they see a truck behind them.

Another issue between both parties is Parking Bays. Caravans can pull up wherever and whenever they like. Trucks, on the other hand, are on a strict schedule as to when and where they can/have to stop. Many parking bays are deemed 'No Trucks' but you don't see 'No Caravan' signs.

I also understand that caravaners don't mean to be intentionally rude when occupying a parking bay - many just do not think, or understand, the requirements of trucks. Instead of keeping to the edge of the parking bay and pulling all the way forward, they tend to park in the entrance or right in the middle, making it difficult for trucks (on their mandatory rest breaks) to be able to access that same parking bay. Again this is a matter of common sense, training, and education that needs to be addressed before they get on the road.

Nature calls can sometimes come unexpectedly, especially as one gets older and may require one to pull over for a quick whizz on the side of the road. Sure, we have all been there but again consideration is the key. Get ‘off’ the road as much as is possible because you can bet your bottom dollar that exactly where you have pulled over partially blocking the road is exactly where the only two trucks in a 100 km radius will have to pass each other.

Caravaners, all that we ask is a little consideration. You are all for looking for consideration when you have broken down on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere and a truck driver becomes your next best friend.

We ask that you ‘arm’ yourself with knowledge and experience so that you ‘add’ not detract to the safety of all road users - commercial and otherwise on our roads. Turn on that CB and ‘communicate’ with us. It is safer for you and safer for us and we all want to go home in one piece. Let's work together to achieve that.

Editors note: I will be finding ways to reach the caravan sector with messages like this to encourage collaboration on our roads. If you would like this story to circulate yourself, please email karen@ angrychicken.com.au with request Grey Nomad story in the subject line.