Unprepared for Aussie bitumen roads

**leeds** · 24th October 2008, 05:17 PM

On my travels have come across a few examples of people not been prepared for travelling on Australian bitumen roads. Hardly surprising that people come unstuck on dirt roads if not prepared for bitumen roads.

Come across this

100 milesin any direction to nearest town and not a useable spare tyre!

Come across three vehicles out of fuel. Two of them blamed the fuel gauge. One guy said gauge told him it had enough fuel for 100km but it only did 80 km. Still would have not made next fuel stop as that was 30km away. Wondered if he told fuel gauge about the big box trailer he was towing. Said he didnt fill up at last stop as next was cheaper!!! What if next services had no fuel? One services I come across had a full bowser of petrol, but no working petrol pump!

Come across a cruiser with bonnet up and flat battery. Asked them how long they had been there, apparently overnight and it was midday when I pulled up. Quick jump start and off they went. Then I noticed pile of empty VB cans

Few mile down road I overtook them and got flashed at. Had a problem with diesel going through. Empty? No red light on. Will I follow them into Katherine? No problem

Few miles later they coasted to roadside so gave them another jump start. Off they went again. Another few miles, would I tow them into Katherine? Yes if you have a tow rope I said. Got a shackle out, turned round and saw all three of them sat in cruiser. Asked where their tow rope was and was told to use my rear synthetic winch line.

Now I do not mind helping people but not if they take the michael so I decided to leave them to their own devices. Maybe a bit harsh?

Now if people are so unprepared for the bitumen, no wonder people die when they venture off bitumen. They might get away with this level of unpreparedness in UK where fuel stops are 30km apart, temperatues are lower and mobiles work nearly everywhere

Regards

Brendan

**Slunnie** · 24th October 2008, 05:23 PM

Please dont think that all Aussies go touring with only 3 tyres.

Sounds like you've been very kind to a few that Darwin was trying to weed out.

**The ho har's** · 24th October 2008, 05:25 PM

well I don't think you were hash

If perhaps they had spent less on their beer and more on the vehicle they would have been alright

Mrs ho har

**Yorkshire_Jon** · 24th October 2008, 05:36 PM

Unbelievable!

Out of interest where these people largely "local's" or foreign tourists? If locals granted they should now better, but is there an element of "it'll be alright" attitude?

Clearly people's perception of "being prepared" and readiness vary dramatically!

**dmdigital** · 24th October 2008, 05:43 PM

Not unusual which is a said thing to say. Most people seem to only travel the long distances with a single spare tyre.

As for the fuel and tow situation, all too frequent on outback roads sometimes. Been stopped and asked for fuel a number of times, usually they don't ask for the spare as they see its not a Toyota or Nissan.

If I'd pulled over and seen the beer cans I wouldn't have bothered stopping, let them fend for themselves.

**Yorkshire_Jon** · 24th October 2008, 05:44 PM

Thats what I thought - although the consequences aren't normally so severe, we get the same type of idiots driving massively un-preparred during the winter months over here.

**LOVEMYRANGIE** · 24th October 2008, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Numpty's Missus

Probably locals Jon

Of the non reflective kind??

**rangieman** · 24th October 2008, 05:48 PM

Dear i say they were not of european appearence

Locals i bet

**Psimpson7** · 24th October 2008, 05:50 PM

Dont blame you. I would have left them too if they had done that!

**leeds** · 24th October 2008, 06:00 PM

The jump start crew were locals. Did not see VB cans until after they drove off.

The 2 guys I spoke to who had run out of fuel, one was a Irish tourist the other a non indigenous Aussie.

I tend to stop if I see someone parked in an unusal place in Aus just to see if they are OK. Insurance really as I hope people will also do it for me

Regards

Brendan

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