7 injured in 4WD rollover on Fraser Island - Here we go again...

Honestly I'm surprised it doesn't happen more...I drive on Teewah Beach going up to Double Island Point fairly often and the idiots I've seen driving at around the 100km mark. :mad: It might be safe to do that on hard sand, but all you have to do is hit soft stuff or swerve unexpectedly and you're in for it... :(

The only thing I can really see making much of a difference is more Police on the beach - which isn't sustainable - or some sort of beach driving licence with training required (I don't like this idea though).

Thankfully at least this time no one was killed.

The news said that
Quote: Police are also at the site and say the crash driver was a local.

"There were not an overseas tourist, or anything, they hold a Queensland license, " a police spokeswoman said.
End of Quote
Regarding the last april accident THIS article it is interesting, aparatly the vehicle have a steering fault :eek:

I agree with above comments that you cant legislate against stupidity or accidents. Just like theres gona be accidents/injury/deaths on our roads, ragardless of education/training/legislation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chops

Of course this wouldn't happen if they hired out decent vehicles,, like Land Rovers,,, :D

:wasntme:

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So you're saying that Land Rovers don't roll over? What planet do you come from?????

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

So you're saying that Land Rovers don't roll over? What planet do you come from?????

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Think it was tongue in cheek somehow... unless you too are also saying that tongue in cheek... in confused! :p

I can't see why they don't just drop the speed limit to say 60kph max. I'm a lead foot at the best of times but I don't see why you need to be in a rush on the beach.

I'd also ban troopies. Not impying that that's what was involved in today's drama.

IMHO:)

Every time this happens the people involved are described as morons or similar by others who are experienced offroaders and cannot imagine how anyone could not know how to drive safely on a beach, because it's so obviously just a case of lack of intelligence. Presumably, smart people could work out how to beach drive without being taught, or have worked it all out from a quick briefing and a read of a manual.

Don't confuse ignorance with stupidity.

It's easy to criticise a complete newbie when you've grown up in Australia, been driving here for years and know your way around 4WDs.

What's obvious to you is not obvious to, say, Europeans. It works both ways, I've seen Aussies try and drive on German autobahns, or handle Parisian traffic or parking. Hopeless until they learn how. In this case it seems the drivers were Aussies, but the same principle applies, beach driving is a skill that needs to be learned. Sometimes experts forget how far advanced they are.

Try learning any new physical skill with an element of danger and see how long it takes before you do something "stupid" out of ignorance. Having spent a lot of time teaching flying and driving, I suggest it won't be long.

The real solution here, as with almost any road safety issue, is better driver training. That'll drive up costs and reduce the number of people who self-drive, but rather that than more bodies strewn along a beach.

Why isnt this kind of thing just seen as a risk of beach driving. Why is a speed limit needed at all? It should be not about laws but about education. Drive according to the conditions, its not that hard.

Valid points, in the case of the accident with the europeans (last April) aparently the vehicle had steering faults.
On the last accident, there were not europeans, just locals.

Agree 100% with better driver training, but I just wonder if the 4WD rental people are prepared to loose business because the potential customers do not have formal training.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dickyjoe

Why isnt this kind of thing just seen as a risk of beach driving. Why is a speed limit needed at all? It should be not about laws but about education. Drive according to the conditions, its not that hard.

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Speed limits only exist because drivers are not well trained enough to do without them.

If as you say you drive to the conditions, following for example the principles laid down the the police driving manual Roadcraft, speed limits become irrevelant as you'll be doing constant hazard scans and adjusting your speed and gearing to suit. But that's too hard for society to accept, so it's easier just to mandate a set limit and call it good. Thus there is a set limit for all cars in all conditions, from dry bright days in a new car to wet fog and worn tyres, and around corners too, and over crests.

The problem with beach driving is that the drivers lack the experience to know what is an acceptably safe speed or how the car reacts in that environment.