Things to know before you drive on dirt

Here, we set you up with some tips and tricks for tackling unsealed roads safely. Dirt and gravel roads vary in quality and can be very different to driving on sealed city roads, so, they require a plan and a different approach. Let’s get into it!

According to the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30, the risk of a person being killed on a road in a remote area (ABS Remote and Very Remote Australia) is 11 times the risk of living in a major city, based on the rate of deaths per 100,000 people. This is due to a higher proportion of unsealed roads, lower quality roads, higher speed limits, and lower traffic volumes. 

Unfortunately, those aren’t the only factors contributing to risks on rural and unsealed roads.  Research conducted by the Australian Road Safety Foundation with a sample size of 1504 Australian drivers over 18, found that more than a third of Syndey-based drivers admitted to being less vigilant in regional areas compared to local rural drivers. 

Not all vehicles are built for off-road adventuring. So, it’s important to know what your vehicle is capable of handling. 

Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) or All-Wheel Drive (AWD) setups are going to handle unsealed roads much more safely than a Two-Wheel Drive (2WD), particularly when encountering loose surfaces, or handling corners or hills.

If you’re in a 4WD or AWD, check your owners’ manual to familiarise yourself with how to switch between 2WD and 4WD modes. In modern vehicles this should be a straightforward, automatic switch, but older cars might require you to stop the vehicle completely and manually engage the front hubs. Note that in high-traction areas you should avoid engaging 4WD, particularly at high speeds, as it could damage your vehicle.

A 2WD vehicle will be able to navigate some dirt roads, but the muddier it gets, the more difficult it will be to drive. The same goes for loose gravel. Front-wheel and rear-wheel 2WD cars will perform differently on loose surfaces. Generally, front-wheel drive vehicles will be more predictable.

Types: When it comes to driving on unsealed roads, your tyres are super important, and wider tyres with chunkier tread patterns are going to provide you with better traction.

Tyre pressure is equally important. Drive over long distances with over-inflated tyres and you run the risk of punctures, excessive wear and tyre and an uncomfortable ride to boot. Generally, the worse the surface the lower the pressure required. Gravel roads in good condition might not require you to drop pressure at all, but driving long distances on rough gravel should see you lowering the pressure down to between 26 and 30 psi (pounds per square inch), and for muddy surfaces as low as 20 to 25 psi. Remember, all cars and conditions are different, so you may need to see how the car is handling after reducing pressure.

If you’re going to be travelling long distances, or regularly driving on dirt roads, consider taking a small air compressor as well as a tyre pressure gauge. Be prepared to be able to fix small punctures that may occur and consider carrying a second spare tyre if you can.

Check your seals: Dust can and will get in anywhere if you let it (more on that later). Old or damaged seals might only let in a small amount of air, but that can mean an unpleasant amount of dust over a long journey.

Your windscreen wipers: Depending on the conditions, your windscreen wipers could be working overtime, so make sure your wiper blades are in good condition and that you’ve got plenty of wiper fluid.

The first thing you’ll notice about driving on dirt and gravel roads are the bumps and ridges, or ‘corrugations’ on the road. Like a corrugated iron roof, these imperfections along the road are accentuated over time by traffic. Unsurprisingly, corrugations can be uncomfortable to drive over and put unnecessary pressure on your vehicle.

From a speed perspective, there’ll be a ‘sweet spot’ to driving over corrugations, depending on the size and frequency of them. Drive too slowly and you’ll start feeling the vibrations shaking through your car. Drive too fast, and you’ll lose traction and control. Adjust your speed, carefully, and you’ll find that sweet spot where your vehicle’s tyres begin to skip over the corrugations, and the ride becomes more comfortable. As mentioned in the previous section, tyre pressure will be important in navigating corrugation.

Many roads will have tracks - often in the middle of the road - worked into the dirt, and these will be the safest and most comfortable part of the road. On long, straight stretches you should be able to straddle the middle of the road and see any oncoming traffic long before you need to act. Take extra care, however, when approaching corners or hills, and always be prepared to slow down or pull over to the left when passing cars approaching in the opposite direction.

Something else to be mindful of is the way you brake and accelerate. These actions should be done smoothly. Avoid any sudden manoeuvres, especially around corners, and try to avoid braking mid-way round a bend. You should slow down enough to be able to gently accelerate out of a corner and stay in control of the vehicle.

If you do happen to find yourself in a situation where you begin to skid, remain calm and don’t slam on the brakes. Gently release the accelerator, look in the direction that you want the vehicle to go and steer in that direction with both hands on the steering wheel. A common and dangerous mistake when trying to regain control of a skidding vehicle is overcorrection, so it’s vitally important you avoid this and steer gently instead.

There’s a lot to consider, and driving on unsealed roads will require extra focus, and with that comes extra energy. Take regular breaks, and ensure you’ve packed sufficient water and supplies.

Thick clouds of dust are inevitable when driving on dirt and gravel, both from your own vehicle and other cars on the road. It has a major impact on visibility and poses extra hazards as loose stones on gravel surfaces can flick up and cause damage.

If you’re travelling behind another car, leave plenty of distance. You might even consider pulling over for a minute or two to allow the dust to settle. When passing cars that are approaching in the opposite direction, slow right down to avoid driving through a thick cloud of dust. 

To minimise dust in accumulating inside your car, roll up your windows, set your air-conditioning to recirculate, and make sure all vents are closed.

Driving in remote locations means you’re often sharing the road with wildlife and livestock of all shapes and sizes. Pay constant attention ahead and around the edges of the road, especially around water. If you pass animals on the side of the road, assume that they will instinctively head towards the vehicle, especially at dusk, dawn or in darkness - so slow down and pass safely.

Once you’ve reached your destination, or simply returned to a sealed road, do a thorough check of your vehicle. Re-inflate your tyres to recommended road pressures and inspect them for any noticeable signs of wear or damage. Clean your headlights, tail lights and number plate, and check your windscreen for any chips or cracks. If it was a particularly rocky ride, check the underside of the vehicle for any leaks or major dents and damage.

Even for the most experienced and careful drivers, accidents do happen. Visit NRMA Insurance to make sure your car has the right protection.