QFleet Road Safety Manual - Department of Housing and Public ...

Risk 5: Adverse conditions
Driving on rough, unsealed roads or on roads subject
to extreme conditions, such as snow, ice, fog, or
bushfires, presents increased risks.
Risk can be reduced by:
• planning ahead to use alternative routes
• rescheduling trips to times of less extreme
conditions
• providing information about driving
techniques in adverse conditions, such as
driving slowly in foggy conditions
• using specialist or fit for purpose vehicles
suitable for conditions
• where appropriate, providing specialist
training for driving in adverse conditions
• checking road and weather conditions with
relevant authorities prior to commencing the
journey e.g. RACQ, Bureau of Meteorology.
For further information regarding rural, remote and
hazardous driving conditions see Rural and remote
driving section of the QFleet Safe Driving Guide.
Risk 6: In-vehicle distractions
Distractions divert the driver’s attention from the
driving task and impact on safety critical measures,
such as stopping distances.
Common in-vehicle distractions are other
passengers, drinking and eating, reaching for
objects, personal grooming, in-vehicle technologies
and loose objects.
Approximately one quarter of vehicle crashes in
the United States are estimated to result from the
driver being inattentive as a result of technology or
other distractions. 19 There is evidence that in-vehicle
distractions are likely to be the cause of a similar
quantity of road crashes in Australia. 20
Risk can be reduced by:
• not eating or drinking while driving
• presetting music/radio, climate controls,
seatbelts and mirrors
• securing any loose objects
• pulling over to adjust equipment, check maps
or attend to personal grooming
• asking passengers to help with tasks (e.g.
checking map for driver).
For further information relating to driver distractions
see Driver distraction section of the QFleet Safe
Driving Guide.
19 Ibid.
20 Ibid.
Road Safety Manual
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