There are many types of slower vehicles on the wide open country roads.
We have trucks; vehicles towing caravans; buses; or even just tourists taking their time enjoying our magnificent scenery - to name a few.
So whether you are driving in the metropolitan area or driving to one or more of our beautiful country tourist areas, all road users need to be aware of slower vehicles they share the road with for everyone's safety.
Please find below some tips for a safe journey.
These tips are mainly for country driving where you will encounter slower vehicles, but they are also applicable for all areas.
KEEP LEFT (Okay for you International drivers this may mean Keep Right - Crikey, I am an Australian after all).
(I am also a left handed golf player and all golf instruction books are written for a right handed golf player, so I have had to train myself to read these books as a left handed golfer.
So when I write Keep Left in this article, please read Keep Right if that is applicable to you.
Sorry, but that is the easiest way to explain.
) On single carriageways, try to drive closer to the left hand side of the road rather than close to the centre line.
This gives you and any oncoming traffic (particularly a wider truck) a greater margin for error and reduces the effect of wind buffeting created by passing trucks.
On country roads, steer to the left hand edge of the road, particularly when driving on a curve to the right, as most drivers tend to drift in the direction they are looking.
It is important though to make sure you keep on the sealed section of the road and not get that far over that you end up with your wheels in the gravel.
SHARING MULTI-LANE ROADS WITH TRUCKS/BUSES Lane widths are usually about 3.
2 metres and most trucks are no more than 2.
5 metres wide and cars are about 1.
9 metres wide.
So you have plenty of room.
Drive your car in the middle of the lane, instead of to the left or right - this will help you feel more comfortable.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE Tailgating is dangerous because it leaves you with less time to stop.
Besides the driver in front of you will not be able to see you very well or even be aware of your intentions, particularly when overtaking.
Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front.
(That is applicable to all vehicles not just slower vehicles).
It also has an impact on the driver in front of you where they are more concerned about what you are doing and how close you are driving to them - they are not fully concentrating on what they are doing.
REMEMBER: If you can't see the drivers side mirrors, the driver can't see you.
INDICATE YOUR INTENTIONS Always use your indicators when turning, changing lanes or overtaking to let other road users know what you are doing.
Truck drivers need extra space to clear intersections and railway crossings, so indicate early.
OVERTAKING Take your time when overtaking heavy slower vehicles, stay back several car lengths without crossing the centre line and:

• When it is safe to pass, indicate, move over the centre line, accelerate and overtake quickly;
• Use your left indicator to signal your return to the left lane;
• Maintain your speed if you overtake and then slow down once clear;
• Allow for oncoming vehicles when overtaking as they may be travelling faster than your think;
• Be prepared for the effect of wind buffeting when you pass a truck; and
• Be careful overtaking on wet roads.
  

Signs indicating that overtaking lanes are ahead give you advance notice of a safe length of road to overtake.
Use overtaking lanes to pass slower vehicles and return to the left lane as soon as you can.
REMEMBER: Never try to overtake a slower vehicle (or any vehicle for that matter) on a curve or hill where visibility is limited, even if the vehicle is moving slowly.
If you cannot see past the slower vehicle, wait for a better opportunity.
MERGING Where two lanes of traffic merge into one, give way to any vehicle in front of you and leave enough room for other vehicles, particularly trucks, to merge safely.
TURNING TRUCKS/CARAVANS/BUSES At intersections and roundabouts, allow extra space for trucks as they often need to swing wide to turn either left or right, and may need to use both lanes to turn.
If a truck driver signals to turn, wait until the truck has completed this manometer before you continue your journey.
If a truck is turning into the road you are on, keep back from the intersection to give the truck driver more road space.
Pedestrians should stand well clear of all turning vehicles.
TRUCKS BRAKING AND ACCELERATING Truck drivers need more space to stop than smaller vehicles.
Remember to not cut in front of them when approaching traffic signals, roundabouts and other locations where traffic queues form.
Trucks accelerate slowly, so be patient as the truck driver moves through several gears to get going.
If you learn nothing else from this page, one of the most important things is DO NOT CUT IN FRONT OF TRUCKS/BUSES when approaching a red light/ stop sign.
After all what are you going to save? A couple of seconds? Is yours and other road users' safety worth a couple of seconds? REVERSING TRUCKS Reversing a truck takes significant skill as the drivers only have their mirrors to guide them.
Leave plenty of room and make sure that you stay in sight of their mirrors whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcycles or a driver of a car.
SPEED KILLS - SLOW DOWN.
Slow down when the road surface or weather conditions are poor.
Dust, rain, mud, smoke and fog reduce visibility and make driving on roads more dangerous.
FATIGUE IS A SILENT KILLER.
PULL OVER AND GIVE YOURSELF AND YOUR PASSENGERS A BREAK DURING THE JOURNEY.
Who knows for a 10 minute break the life you save may even be yours!