As the Christmas holiday period approachs, millions of Australians are preparing to embark on their annual pilgrimage to beaches, bushlands and beloved camping spots.
With more than 14 million nights of camping and four million trips expected over the summer break, it’s shaping up to be another record-breaking season for the caravan and camping industry. This surge in travel highlights the unique responsibility that comes with being part of such a vibrant community. At Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA), safety is not just a priority, it’s a core value embedded in our corporate vision to support and protect consumers who use our industry products.
The festive period is a time of joy, but it also brings increased risks on our roads. Recreational vehicle users alone will clock up more than one billion kilometres this year. With this in mind, our message is clear: preparation and awareness are the cornerstones of road safety.
Inattention, fatigue and speed
One of the most pressing challenges on our roads is avoiding what safety experts call ‘the fatal three’: inattention, fatigue and speed. These factors are involved in the majority of accidents, particularly during high-traffic periods such as Christmas.
Inattention remains a leading cause of crashes, often stemming from simple distractions such as using a phone, adjusting the radio or dealing with restless children. For those embarking on long journeys, keeping everyone in the vehicle entertained and engaged is critical. Assigning navigation or entertainment duties to a passenger can help ensure the driver’s focus remains firmly on the road.
Fatigue is another silent threat. Australians will travel, on average, more than 600km to reach their holiday destinations, and drivers must resist the temptation to push through. Research indicates that crashes peak between 10am and 12pm, highlighting the importance of regular breaks.
Our advice is simple — stop and rest every two hours. As the slogan suggests ‘revive to survive’. Even a short pause can help rejuvenate your focus and reduce the risk of fatigue-related incidents.
Speed — the third element — is a critical factor in both crash likelihood and severity. Holiday excitement can lead some drivers to exceed speed limits, but the risks far outweigh the benefits. Staying within speed limits and adjusting your driving to suit weather and road conditions can make the difference between a safe journey and a tragic one.
Vehicle and caravan readiness
Safety starts long before the ignition is turned. Proper vehicle and caravan maintenance are essential in ensuring a trouble-free journey. Regular servicing and pre-trip checks can prevent breakdowns and accidents.
For your vehicle, this includes inspecting tyre pressure and tread, checking oil and ensuring that lights and indicators are functioning correctly. The caravan demands equal attention — examine the brakes, tyres, coupling and suspension. An improperly loaded caravan or one with maintenance issues can become a significant hazard on the road. Ensuring that weight is evenly distributed and securely fastened is crucial for stability, especially during sudden manoeuvres. This is why we always urge people to ‘know your weights’. More information about safe towing can be found here.
Sharing the road
As the roads become busier over the upcoming holidays, cooperation and respect among all road users are essential. Caravanners play a significant role in ensuring smooth traffic flow. One key practice is avoiding platooning, where multiple caravans travel closely together. This can cause frustration for other drivers and increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions, particularly on highways in regional areas. By maintaining adequate spacing and pulling over periodically to allow faster vehicles to pass, we can help reduce road rage and improve overall traffic safety.
Respect for all road users is a two-way street. Large trucks, motorcyclists and cyclists all have unique vulnerabilities and operational requirements. By being patient and allowing adequate room for these vehicles, we foster a safer environment for everyone.
Our recent studies provide insights that can guide safer travel practices. For instance, accidents involving recreational vehicles are most common on Sundays and Mondays, often as people return home. Urban areas see the highest crash rates, but fatalities are more frequent on regional roads. The most common incidents are rear-end collisions and failures to give way. Keeping your distance from the car in front is a sure-fire way of staying safe on the roads this Christmas.
CIAA has made significant strides in promoting road safety through education and resources. In partnership with state caravan associations and external safety organisations, we’ve developed a suite of tools aimed at improving safety awareness. From engaging video content to interactive quizzes and detailed guides, these materials are designed to provide practical, accessible advice to caravanners of all experience levels.
One of our flagship initiatives, Co-Exist, focuses on fostering harmonious relationships between caravanners and other road users.
CIAA remains dedicated to enhancing the safety of our community. Together, let’s make this holiday season memorable for all the right reasons. Safe travels, and we look forward to seeing you out on the road in the coming months.
For more information and to access our safety resources, visit the Co-Exist website or download this guide to towing in Australia.
Stuart Lamont
Chief Executive Officer
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