Road closures and why you should obey them

Road closures can mean a sudden end to a much-awaited and planned travelling adventure, but ignore them at your peril, or worse …

When you’ve spent months, or longer, planning a much-awaited road trip to an iconic bucket list destination such as the Kimberley or Cape York, an unexpected road closure due to rain or other emergencies can throw your plans into disarray.

The majority of travellers will head to the northern states of Australia during the dry season — April to November — to avoid the monsoon rains during the summer months. During the winter dry season, there is little or no rainfall and mild sunny days in the mid-to-high-20s. It’s ideal for caravanning, and some of those iconic offroad routes such as the Gibb River Road or the Peninsula Development Road to the Cape can be as busy as Bourke Street (Melbourne).

But in the outback, road conditions can change very quickly, regardless of whether it’s a dirt or sealed road. Fires, floods, cyclones and extreme weather can sometimes lead to roads being closed or restricted for safety reasons at very short notice. Even a small amount of rain can render a road impassable.

Caravan World Editor-at-Large John Ford was travelling in the north of WA recently when unseasonal rain at the end of June closed the Gibb River Road at the Pentecost River Crossing.

“When we reached the Kimberley, many roads were closed because of unseasonal rain, and we ended up camped for nearly a week at the Pentecost River waiting for the water to drop,” he said. “The road was closed there for the south-east journey, but there were people still crossing the river where the road was closed.”

The outback is littered with large road conditions signs that tell travellers whether a road is open, closed or to proceed with caution.

These signs don’t just apply to gravel roads. In the channel country of western Queensland, there are countless floodways on major sealed roads, and these can flood quickly during the wet season. Sometimes the rain may have occurred hundreds of kilometres from where you are currently driving, but the water travels quickly down the channels and can render roads impassable.

A spokesperson for Main Roads WA said that while hazards such as fire and flood can be inconvenient, they are also extremely dangerous. “It’s important road users understand the risks before they set off, and plan what to do if there is an emergency,” she said.

“Roads may be closed due to an incident ahead, unsafe pavement conditions or flooding in the wet season, which runs from November to April. Road users may also come across unpredictable conditions at floodways and creek crossings.”

“If you come across a ROAD CLOSED sign on your travels, please remember that closed means closed. Walking or diving through floodwaters is extremely dangerous. Floodwaters can take control of a four-wheel drive in just 30cm of flowing water. If you plan to travel in bushfire season, it’s likely roads will be closed and visibility severely reduced due to smoke.”

Southern states

It’s not just the northern states with their distinct wet season that are subject to road closures.

In the alpine areas of New South Wales and Victoria, many roads and tracks are closed seasonally to vehicle traffic each year. Rain and snow soften the tracks and make them vulnerable to damage, so these tracks are closed to vehicles for visitor safety, to maintain water quality, prevent erosion and protect the road itself during the wetter months.

Apart from the significant safety risk to drivers, one of the main issues when a closed road is breached — whether it is closed for seasonal or wet weather conditions — is that the cost to repair and perform maintenance on those roads is much greater. This cost can include anything from replacing broken locks, gates, chains and fencing to repairing damage to the roads, tracks and drainage. Not to mention any associated damage to the environment and any cultural sites. Repairing this damage can be time-consuming and draws resources away from other visitor services and environmental protection.

Located in the beautiful Victorian High Country, the Dargo High Plains Road is one of Victoria’s most popular four-wheel driving and offroad caravanning treks, and experiences seasonal closures each year. But despite this, each year there are many members of the public who attempt to undertake this track, which is challenging enough in the summer let alone when it is deeply covered in snow, often leading to the drivers needing to be extracted and substantial extra costs for its repair and a potential delay in its reopening. The Dargo High Plains Road is closed depending on the season and conditions, rather than on a specific date each year, and information about when it is open or closed can be found on the Vic Traffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au). As there is no set closure date, the road and accompanying tracks are patrolled prior to closing the gates to ensure no one is left on the track.

Parks Victoria manages many of the seasonal road closures throughout Victoria, and these road closures generally operate from after the King’s Birthday long weekend in June through to the end of October. However, the closures may be extended if conditions are not suitable to safely reopen the road.

“Authorised Officers have been encouraged to see the majority of visitors and hunters in state forests and adjoining national parks have been respecting seasonal road closures — we hope this will continue throughout the winter months,” said Andrew Dean, Senior Enforcement Officer at Parks Victoria. Dean also encourages the public to contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63 if they see anyone breaching closed roads in Victoria’s state forests and national parks.

Driving on a closed alpine road can not only cause damage to the road itself but also poses many safety risks for the driver. Deep snow, winding roads and low visibility due to snow or rain can quickly make a challenging track dangerous and unpredictable. And if you come into trouble that you can’t get out of, you may need to be extracted, which may involve the Victorian Police being notified and a fine issued for broaching a closed road.

Alpine roads can be challenging enough on the best of days, let alone when they are deemed unsuitable, so always drive to the conditions.

Penalties

Driving on closed roads is a serious offence due to the potential dangers and risks involved, including the risk of becoming stranded in remote areas without access to help or resources.

The consequences of driving on closed roads may vary depending on the state or territory in which you are travelling, but they can include monetary fines, loss of licence, demerit points or court proceedings. You may also endanger yourself, other road users or emergency workers if you drive on a closed road.

For example, in Queensland, the maximum penalty for driving on a road closed due to flooding is 200 penalty units. As of 1 July 2023, the value of a penalty unit in Queensland is $154.80, so that’s a massive $30,960 if you’re caught and fined.

In Victoria’s Alpine National Park and adjoining state forest, if you are caught breaching seasonal road closures, interfering with or damaging a gate or sign, you can receive an on-the-spot fine of $925 per offence from Parks Victoria, and other fines may apply. Additionally, if you are caught hunting illegally or behaving irresponsibly in these areas managed by Parks Victoria, additional fines and prosecution can apply.

The specific penalties and consequences for driving on closed roads varies between each state and territory in Australia, and in most cases, the specific penalty you might face depends on the circumstances of the offence. This includes factors such as the road’s classification, the severity of the offence, the driver’s intention and any potential endangerment caused by their actions. Additionally, there is a chance you will face additional costs or penalties if you or your vehicle need to be extracted from the road.

You can also void your vehicle insurance or the warranty on your caravan/camper if you have ignored road closures and do some damage.

It's crucial to note that the penalties for driving on closed roads are not limited to fines alone. In many cases, the safety risks associated with this offence are far more significant. Roads might be closed due to hazardous conditions, maintenance work, flooding or other dangers. Ignoring these closures can result in accidents, vehicle damage and even loss of life.

For accurate and up-to-date information on penalties and consequences related to driving on closed roads in each Australian state, it's recommended to consult the official government websites of the respective state’s transport departments or relevant authorities.

Emergency services

Driving on a closed road can have further serious consequences if emergency services are called for rescue if you become stranded or injured. While the specifics can vary depending on the circumstances and the state, here are some general consequences you might face:

Financial costs: If emergency services are required to rescue you from a closed road, you could be held responsible for covering the costs associated with the rescue operation. This can include expenses related to deploying personnel, equipment and resources to reach and assist you.

Legal penalties: You might face legal penalties for disregarding road closures and putting yourself and emergency responders at risk. These penalties can include fines and potentially even legal action, especially if your actions were deemed reckless or irresponsible.

Impact on emergency services: Driving on closed roads and requiring emergency assistance diverts valuable resources away from genuine emergencies and other critical situations. This can impact the ability of emergency services to respond promptly to real life-threatening situations.

Endangering yourself and others: Driving on closed roads can put your life and the lives of any passengers at risk. Additionally, emergency responders who must come to your aid may also be placed in danger due to the potentially hazardous situation.

Rescue delays: Depending on the remote location and the nature of the closure, it might take some time for emergency services to reach you. This can lead to extended exposure to harsh weather conditions, lack of supplies and increased vulnerability to various risks.

It's important to recognise that the primary goal of road closures is to ensure the safety of individuals and prevent accidents, injuries and potential loss of life. Ignoring these closures can have serious consequences not only for yourself but also for the emergency services personnel who must respond to your situation. Always respect road closures, follow official guidelines and prioritise your safety and the safety of others when travelling in remote areas.

Driving safety checklist

All drivers should plan and prepare for a safe journey before leaving home, no matter how far they are driving.

Queensland, the NT and WA all have vast stretches of variable speed and surfaced roads, and road conditions can change quickly, particularly in the wet season during October–May. You will encounter many types of road users travelling at different speeds and under different conditions.

The following checklists will help to keep you and others safe on the road.

Before you leave:

Check your vehicle is safe and roadworthy
Check road conditions and weather reports
Don't drive while tired, plan for road rest stops every two hours, and;
Consider taking out membership of a national motoring body with 24-hour roadside assistance.

Vehicle safety check (check all of the following):

Lights, wipers and washers are in working order
Fluid levels (water, brake, radiator, battery)
Tyres and spare tyres — inflated as specified
Your tow vehicle, caravan/camper are not overloaded (going to a weighbridge is the best way to ensure you are compliant), and;
Your vehicle registration is current and covers you for the entire journey.

Tips to avoid distractions:

Turn off your mobile phone, even if it is hands-free
Make adjustments to your radio/navigator before you start driving
Check on a map or GPS where you are going before you leave
Ensure that your vehicle's windscreens, mirrors and windows are clean and unobstructed
Ensure pets are correctly restrained by using a secured carry box or a pet seatbelt
Take a break and pull over rather than eating or drinking while you're driving, and;
Plan activities to keep your children happy and quiet.

Tips when you're on the road:

Obey the road rules
Wear your seatbelt and carry children in approved child restraints
Drive within the speed limit and your own capability
Drive to the road and weather conditions
Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions while driving
Share the road safely with others including road trains and cyclists
Take care through school zones and rail crossings
Expect the unexpected — watch out for pedestrians and wildlife
Don't drive in convoys especially if you are towing a caravan
Reduce your speed on unsealed roads, and;
Carry and use a UHF radio.

Further information

To keep up to date on the road closures or conditions in your area:

Before travelling in the outback check weather reports and forecasts for rainfall and flood warnings by visiting the Bureau of Meteorology at bom.gov.au.

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