Let’s face it - we all love to travel with our furry friends! And while many of us consider them part of our family, there are many of us that are unaware of the rules that apply to our dogs when driving with them.
Rules and regulations that regulate how you travel with your beloved pets are important - it can be incredibly distracting and dangerous to have your dog moving around the car!
In 2013, Australia actually introduced stricter road rules outlining where your dog should be seated and how to be safer when traveling with your four legged friend. Here are a few of the rules - but it’s important to remember that no matter what state you are traveling in, it’s prohibited to drive with your dog seated on your lap.
In our own state, NSW, police can fine and issue demerit points if you break this law. It’s generally accepted that:
These regulations are in place to keep both you and your furry friend safe - but be warned, if you get caught in breach of these rules, the RSPCA has authority under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to issue hefty fines if an animal is injured due to being unrestrained. You could even face jail time.
So how should you properly restrain your dog? Restraining your dog while driving is essential to decreasing injuries should you be involved in a car accident - whether you’re at fault or not. Even accidents that were not your fault could have serious implications for your unrestrained pup.
The best restraints for your four legged animal will depend on their size. Most pet stores sell harnesses that attach to your seatbelts, but you could also investigate a crate. And while there are no rules about seating your pup in the front seat with you, it’s advisable to give this a miss - airbags when deployed can seriously injure your dog and can even be potentially fatal.
Whether it's a breakdown or an accident that was not your fault, sitting on the side of the road can be more dangerous than you may think.
What should you do if you are in an accident that was not your fault?
While you may be pretty shaken up, it’s important to remain calm. If you’re not sure what information to exchange, how to get your car towed or even who to call first, then just breathe and remember that the team at Carbiz is on hand! Our dedicated accident support line is only a call away, we’ll help you.
Here are some tips to keep you safer on the side of the road
Not at fault? Call our team, we'll help you ?1300 889 256
Driving while distracted has become common practise - but it's a dangerous driving behaviour brought on by bad driving habits.
Here are a few bad habits that you should drop today.
Keeping your mobile phone handy while driving
If your phone is easily accessible while driving, you will be more likely to grab for it if you get a notification. Using your mobile phone while driving will ultimately lead to distracted driving. Leave your phone out of reach.
Not wearing a seatbelt properly
It’s easy to think that putting your seatbelt on is a waste of time - and perhaps you don’t find it the most comfortable accessory. However, it’s incredibly important to wear your seatbelt correctly at all times to ensure your safety in the event of an accident.
Eating and drinking while driving
Eating and drinking while driving may stop you from being able to quickly react to a sudden emergency. If you’re desperately hungry or thirsty, consider taking a well deserved break from your journey.
Watch your footwear - lose the thongs and heels!
Some forms of footwear are actually safer than others. While there’s no law or rule against certain types of footwear, thongs or heels can get caught under the pedals.
Accidents can happen in seconds - don’t let one occur in the split second that you are distracted.
Not at fault? We’ll help you
Accidents are such unexpected events - they can definitely rattle even the best of us. Ever wondered what the process is straight after your car accident, while waiting on scene? Now try to remember everything while being rattled and out of sorts! We’ve created a free guide that you can print and store in your glove compartment for just in case.
Here are a few reminders - and how to handle a situation where the other driver refuses to exchange their details.
So what happens if the other driver doesn’t want to exchange their details with you?
Well firstly, this is actually illegal - you are obligated to exchange details with the other driver following a car accident. You must stop after an accident and exchange information about yourself and gather information from everyone else involved. If you’re struggling with the other people involved in the accident, then you should call 000 for assistance.
What if you’re not at fault?
If you’re not at fault, we’ll help you! It’s important that you gather enough information about the at fault driver so that the costs associated with the accident can be recovered. The best case scenario is that you are able to gather all of the information identified. However, if the at fault driver is not obliging then gather what information you can. A description of the other car - and most importantly - the number plate details.
Not at fault? We’ll help you – just give us a call ? 1300 889 256
If you didn’t already know, our team at Carbiz is child friendly! We want your little ones to be safe - today we look at the rules around child restraints for driving.
Did you know? Many road rules and traffic laws in Australia differ from state to state, including when it comes to child car seat restraints.
You’re probably aware of the car seat and safety fitting in your own car, but do you know the rules for when you need an accident replacement vehicle.
Children to the age of seven years old cannot travel in a car without a correctly fitted and properly fastened child seat that meets Australian safety standards.
The rules for booked vehicles - such as accident replacement vehicles - are essentially the same as for private cars. We’re family-friendly - so if you are planning on driving around with your little one, then let us know! Our cars have correct anchor points for fitting a restraint.
Did you know? For their own safety, across Australia, no passenger under the age of four years old may sit in the front seat. And no passenger aged between four and seven years may sit in the front seat unless the back seats are also occupied by children under seven years. This rule applies across all vehicles.
As you get into our accident replacement vehicles, know that you and your whole family will have a safer journey!
Not at fault? We’ll help you.?1300 889 256
Did you know that truck drivers have a very different experience when driving? Their blindspots are different, their turning circle is far larger and the sheer size of their vehicle means that they may not see you at all.
With so many more trucks on the road - how can you be a safer driver?
Here are a few tips for driving near trucks.
Give as much notice about when and where you want to turn
Big rigs need time to see you - but the driver also needs time to slow down or alter their course if they need to. This is more important the heavier the traffic is, so be sure to indicate or slow down as soon as you can. It’s also important to remember that coming to an abrupt stop will not give the truck driver enough time to bring their truck to a stop - and it will likely end up in an accident.
Be courteous and give the truck ample space to turn
With a turning circle of a truck being so large, it’s just the courteous thing to do to hold back a bit and give the truck ample space to make their turn. So the next time you see a truck approaching a turn, be sure to stop a good distance before the intersection.
Be aware of the truck's blindspots
These are slightly different for trucks than for cars. Trucks have four main blindspots. They are directly in front of the truck, beside the driver’s door, the full length of the passenger side extending out three lanes, and 10 metres directly behind. A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t see the truck's mirrors, then they can't see you - however, if you want to avoid an accident, remember to give the truck ample space, avoid tailgating and be courteous.
Be careful when merging
This is similar advice to giving the truck driver enough space to come to a stop - when merging remember that if you suddenly merge in front of the truck and then have to brake suddenly, the truck driver will not have enough time to properly react.
Not at fault after an accident? Contact our team, we’ll help you! ?1300 889 256
Imagine driving along and suddenly coming up to an accident that's just happened - what should you do? It is rare, but it can happen that you arrive at an accident before any emergency vehicles. Should you stop or not? Here’s what you should do.
To stop or not to stop
This question is a tough one to answer as there are many things that will determine if you should stop. Do you feel confident enough stopping, is there a safe place to pull over and do you have any first aid training - if you’ve answered yes to all of these questions, then you should pull over and help.
Call 000 to get help
If you are first to an accident scene, it’s best to call 000 as soon as possible. Emergency services will be dispatched, and the call-takers are trained to tell you exactly what to do. Patients should not be moved until it’s deemed safe to do so - and professional emergency service personnel are equipped to assist with this. It’s also important to be aware of the accident scene around you - including potential hazards such as broken glass, broken power lines.
Do not direct traffic
Directing traffic can be quite dangerous and difficult, therefore it is advised to leave this to the emergency services, in particular police. If you have an emergency triangle or cone in your car, you can put it out to warn traffic.
How the accident can affect you and what happens afterwards
Seeing an accident happen or even just seeing an accident scene can affect some people. It can be a traumatic experience. Everyone is different, but some of the reactions can include panic attacks, depression, anger, flashbacks and sleep disturbance.
Were you not at fault? Then keep reading!
One of the most common questions after an accident - especially if it was not your fault - is should you seek legal advice? And while it’s not always necessary - there can sometimes be a dispute and having that legal assistance can be beneficial to your case.
If you’re unsure of your rights or the process to follow - and you’re not at fault, then there are benefits to getting that legal assistance.
You may actually be in the wrong
Fault is incredibly important to determine as it determines liability - however, fault is sometimes more tricky to determine than you think. While most accidents are simple and fault is clearly visible, it’s important to seek assistance from the experts.
Guidance with your insurance claim
Do you know your rights after an accident that was not your fault? Seeking assistance will help you to find out your eligibility for an accident replacement vehicle and legal guidance on your insurance claim so that you can resume your daily life.
Expert advice to ensure you’re not exploited
With so many parties generally involved in an insurance claim, it can quickly feel like you’ve lost advantage or that you aren’t completely in the loop. Having an expert on your team will ensure that your case is dealt with properly.
If you’re not at fault then give our team a call - we’ll help you. You shouldn’t be left out of pocket and inconvenienced - our team has experience in handling these types of insurance claims, and aims to get you the best deal.
?1300 889 256