5 road trip emergencies you may need to deal with

21 November, 2022

For anyone travelling by road in regional and remote areas of WA, understanding the risks and being well prepared for unforeseen events is essential.

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Here are five emergency scenarios that could be encountered on a road trip, how to reduce your risk, and the actions you should take if you are faced with one of them.

1. Bushfires

With 90 per cent of WA bushfire prone, all road travellers should consider the possibility of encountering a bushfire, especially when travelling through a region in bushfire season.

Check fire danger ratings and be aware of any total fire bans. During a total fire ban it is illegal to light an open-air fire or conduct any activity that could start a fire, including using tools that could cause fire.

If you’re staying in accommodation, ask your accommodation provider for their bushfire plan so you know where to go should you need to urgently leave an area.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Chief Superintendent Country North, Paul Carr, says those in camping areas can’t afford to be complacent when they smell or see smoke nearby.

“If you’re camping and smell smoke, don’t just assume someone has a campfire going,” he says. “Look at the direction the wind is blowing and the direction any smoke is coming from and get ready to pack up and go.

“Take only what you need and leave the area immediately. Visit emergency.wa.gov.au or tune in to local radio to check if there are road closures, or for information about the safest evacuation route if you are near a bushfire.”

2. Cyclones

Cyclones form over the ocean, so even before a cyclone alert is put in place, a ‘cyclone watch’ will be declared.

“These are issued when a cyclone looks like it’s going to form and that can be 48 hours before the system is expected to come close to the coast,” Chief Supt Carr says. “Our advice to all travellers is to leave the region immediately and travel south when the cyclone watch is put out.” Responding at this stage will give road travellers enough time to pack up and leave the region.

Not leaving when a cyclone watch is issued puts pressure on a community’s resources, including emergency services personnel helping those who live and have properties in the community.

Evacuation centres are for the local community and there is no guarantee travellers will have a place to go when a cyclone arrives.

Once a cyclone comes closer to land, there are three levels of cyclone alerts (blue, yellow and red) that indicate how those in the affected area should respond.

3. Floods

Flooding associated with cyclones or severe storm systems can be just as dangerous as the cyclone itself. Flood waters as shallow as 30cm can sweep a four-wheel drive away.

If authorities have deemed a flooded area safe to cross you should look for Main Roads contractors or emergency services personnel onsite. Never risk driving through floodwater in any other situation.

“You just don’t know what lies underneath the water,” Chief Supt Carr says. “There could be large sections of road that are washed away or hazards such as potholes.”

Motorists should either park on higher ground and contact local authorities or head back to the closest roadhouse or town to seek assistance.

You’ll need to wait for authorities to assess the area and potentially take a detour. While this may interrupt your travels, a delay is a better outcome than the risks of entering a potentially dangerous environment.

4. Becoming lost on foot

Walking or hiking can be a great way to explore the area you’re visiting but you should be well prepared before heading off on foot.

Check at the local visitor centre for maps and get more details about the terrain, the distance and the degree of difficulty of any specific walking trails – and always remain on the track or trail.

Take sufficient water when hiking and ideally take a little more than you think you’ll need in case conditions are more challenging than expected or in the event that you do lose your way. It's a good idea to download the free emergency+ app which will allow you to contact emergency services and uses the GPS built into mobile phones to provide accurate location details. In more remote areas where mobile phone coverage is patchy or non-existent, a personal EPIRB is also well worth considering. 

Anyone heading out for a hike should ideally go with others and check in with at least one other person before leaving and then again when they return. Many campgrounds and caravan parks offer a service where you can let them know you’re heading off somewhere. You can check in before you leave and again when you get back.

If you’re walking in a hot environment, go out early in the morning and return before the heat of the day kicks in. Avoid hiking in temperatures above 30°C. If you’re out in the sun or walking in humidity, you’ll need more water and more periods of rest.

5. Remote vehicle breakdowns

Road trippers should also tell others where they’re travelling. Check-in and check-out with family or friends otherwise, if something goes wrong, it could be days before someone calls authorities. If no one knows where you’re going, it can be difficult to pinpoint an area to start a search.

The best chance of survival in the case of a remote area vehicle breakdown is to stay with your vehicle. A car is easier to spot from the air than a person walking on foot.

Although it can be difficult, it’s important not to panic in these situations. At some point someone will work out that you’ve not reported in.

Having an EPIRB in a remote breakdown can greatly assist emergency services, as it provides exact GPS coordinates from the location. It sends a signal to a satellite which is relayed back to authorities, who contact local police to investigate.

Travellers should also keep an emergency kit in the car, including water, non-perishable food, a portable radio with batteries, prescription medications, a torch and batteries and first aid kit.

Local knowledge goes a long way

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, seeking local knowledge can help you better plan your activities. Head to the local visitor centre for maps and advice from local experts.

In bushfire season, remember to check the fire danger rating which indicates how dangerous a fire would be if one was to start given the conditions on the day.

Also tune in to local ABC radio for news bulletins and to keep up to date with weather and road conditions.

In emergency situations such as bushfires and cyclones, some community radio stations and all ABC local radio stations broadcast information about alerts.

In some regional parts of WA there is little or no mobile or internet reception, so radio can provide a lifeline in emergencies.