Ozzie Obzervations

U-Turns and Highways

By BARBARA GIESBRECHT

Navigating by numbers

Enter the UBD book. The UBD could share the same advertising slogan as the American Express card in that you don't leave home without it! The UBD Refidex is the driving bible and everybody owns at least one.

The Brisbane edition alone contains 615 pages of maps and information. The book is updated at the start of every year and is essential for finding your way around the Australian road system.

Don't whinge at the $25 price tag as the book is actually worth its weight in gold.

In some areas, U-turns are done everywhere and are allowed at stoplights. It is often permissible to make a U-turn at an opening in the median though a sense of urgency is required as you will be crossing two lanes of oncoming traffic travelling at 60+ km/h.

Highways are a treat

Highway driving is a treat here in Oz. The speed limit is usually 100 km/h. It makes no difference if the road is straight and long or a single lane switchback, you are allowed to go 100 clicks.

Also, pay no heed to the passing lines which may (or may not) appear on the road as they mean nothing. They are just painted to show drivers if the road is one or two lane.

The signs that warn drivers of excess speed penalties and upcoming hidden cameras provide informative reading along the way.

Beaches and floodways

Many of the beaches are part of the road system and are open to 4WD vehicles. Remember to keep left at all times when driving on the beach as the centre lines tend to wash away with each high tide. Beaches aren't the only part of the highway system that can be underwater.

During the rainy season dips in roads can serve as floodways and may measure over a metre of water. Most 4WD vehicles are equipped with snorkels as standard equipment.

If you are still confused and end up having an accident, you can take your car to a panel beater or smash repair shop to have it fixed. Having a bumper replaced is almost as cheap as having an oil change.

Other driving notes

• Favorite sign

  Favorite sign — WRONG WAY GO BACK — big red sign that cannot be missed.

• Police can stop you at any time for a check. My hubby had to take a breathalyser in NSW at 10 on Sunday morning

• Most of the mall car parks are covered with canopies — keeps the sun and rain off

• Yellow Taxi Co. cabs are all orange

• Crosswalk clicks tell you when to cross.

• Most 4 WD vehicles are equipped with Roo or Bull bars

• Cars have dash rugs as the sun is so hot and will crack the dash vinyl

• It is probably a good idea to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) ­ good for ID purposes

Next page: Billy Tea, Beet Root, Bacon, Beer

• Driving in Australia and Other Aussie Experiences
  
• U-Turns and Highways
  
• Billy Tea, Beet Root, Bacon, Beer
  
• Spyders, Sausage Rolls
  
• Does the Water Go Counter-clockwise?
  
• Big Things in the Big Country
  
• Clubs and Culture
  
• Birds, Fish and Crawly Things
  
• Lizards, Leeches and Cane Toads

From our Forum: "Favorite sign — WRONG WAY GO BACK ... Uh ... mind if I ask how many times you ... uh ... encountered that one??? [very big grin]" — Joseph

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Australia Articles Alphabetically Indexed