It’s traditionally an exceptionally busy time on our roads and, sadly, there have already been a number of horrific and tragic accidents this Easter.
In the worst, four people were killed in a single crash when two utes collided head-on on the Barton Highway near Canberra.
There have yet to be reports of any injuries in accidents involving any grey nomads, although a caravan did jackknife and hit a guardrail on the Bruce Highway at Kulangoor yesterday afternoon.
A Queensland Police spokesman said it appears the caravan got ‘the wobbles’ and jackknifed before hitting a guardrail.
A caravanner escaped injury after hotting a highway guard rail. PIC: Pixabay
A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said two people were assessed at the scene but declined treatment or to be taken to hospital.
All states and territories have ramped up police patrols across the busy Easter weekend.
Yesterday, on Day One of the operation in NSW, police caught almost 40 people drink driving, almost 70 tested positive for drugs, and more than 600 people received speeding tickets.
NSW Police acting assistant commissioner Tracy Chapman said they were hoping there would be no further incidents.
“The message is pretty simple: drive to the speed limit, drive to the conditions, don’t drive while under the influence of drugs and alcohol (and) certainly have a plan B if you are intending to drink,” she said. “Focus on the road and not your phones … that is the message we need motorists to heed.”
Interesting that almost twice as many people tested positive for drugs than for alcohol. What does that say?
When doing a close quarters defensive driving course as a Bus driver about 6 years ago the ex-policeman who took the class told us that about one driver in five was either under the influence of alcohol or drugs-so beware!
No matter how well a rig is set up or how careful it is driven, anyone can “get the wobbles” at any time.
I can safely say i can’t remember getting the wobbles. I’m not a nanny when it comes to speed but keep it within reason and no probs
There are products that can be fitted to any rig to stabilise this problem they work on intermittent braking on the van brakes to stop the sway, they work incredibly well.
Graeme
There is a critical speed for every pig trailer at, or after which, it will become unstable. Most pig trailers are well enough loaded (nose heavy) to remain stable at normal towing speeds but if a trailer/caravan is close to that critical speed, an outside influence such as a gust of wind can start “the wobbles”. How do you know what the critical speed of your combination is? You don’t and, you may often or occasionally be close to it depending on road conditions and the way trailer/caravan was last loaded.
I can’t get mine to wobble, no matter how hard I try. Set up correctly, no van or trailer will wobble. You should be able to pull the wheel back and forth as hard as you like and have the trailer fall back into line. Try it before you get out on the highway.
Agree . It’s almost always driver error
Have had it happen twice, once north of Coffs Harbour on the highway and once just north of Yass on the highway. Both times our speed about 90kmph, not windy and a good road. Only common thing was just gone under a bridge.
not if it’s set up proberly.
Thats incorrect 86GTS if your rig is set up correctly , you won’t get the wobbles, it is speed that brings most undone .
You would have to be joking, or dreaming. Any well set up car and van combination will never get the “wobbles” if the car is appropriately matched to the van.
It’s dreamers who try to tow 3509kg cans with twin-cab utes, or LC200s, that generally come to grief.
If safety is of ANY concern, ALWAYS the car should have AT LEAST 10% MORE weight on its wheels than the van does.
NOT NEGOTIABLE, and clearly understood by anyone with any idea about physics and dynamics.
Hiwever, this is just the starting point as weight distribution and towball weight also are critical.