Driving near bushfires

During the dry season, it’s not unusual to see a bushfire on the side of the road or highway.

What you should do

If you encounter a bushfire while driving, you should:

• Think about it. Do you really need to drive through that area right now? If possible, wait for the smoke to clear.
• Slow down and be aware that there could be people, vehicles or livestock on the road.
• Turn your headlights on to low beam and close windows and vents.
• Watch out for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Listen and watch out for other traffic.
• Try to reduce the distractions in your vehicle. Turn off your radio and phone.
• Be patient. Avoid passing and/or changing lanes.
• Signal turns well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.
• Don't stop on a highway or heavily travelled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision.
• If you have to stop, signal, then carefully pull off the road as far as possible. Once you have stopped, make sure your hazard lights remain on.
• Follow the directions of police and firefighters if present.
• If you become trapped by a fierce fire, you should:
  • stay in your car
  • park in an area of low or no vegetation, keep the engine running and turn on the hazard lights
  • close the doors, windows and vents
  • lie on the floor and cover your body with any available woollen or cotton fabric
  • don't get out of the car or open the doors or windows until the fire front has passed.

Resources

For a printable version, get the bushfire while driving factsheet PDF (572.5 KB).

If you're on your way to camping, you should also read about campfire safety.