$2 million solution to big caravan issue to as contentious driver's licence debate continues
Uptake of the popular travel option is 'thriving' and drivers are being implored to get educated on the risks of caravanning before hitting the road.
Driving along any major highway this summer, it's obvious that caravanning has become an increasingly popular pastime for everyday Aussies. The "thriving" trend is more than just a mode of travel for some — with industry leader Jason Plant describing it as the "backbone of regional tourism and a vital contributor to local economies".
But as over 900,000 registered RVs in Australia hit the road, regular reports of crashes involving caravans has prompted renewed discussion about introducing new measures to ensure drivers are properly educated on their vehicles.
This weekend, a 71-year-old man lost his life while towing a caravan on South Australia's Stuart Highway after he "lost control", according to police. In 2024 there were 37 crashes involving caravans in tow.
Currently, there is no requirement for drivers to have any specialised education or training before travelling with a caravan. A recent survey of 18,000 Yahoo readers revealed 73 per cent believe that drivers towing caravans should be required to have a specific driver's licence.
However, industry leaders believe mandatory licencing is not the answer, with calls to improve access to training being the best solution for safer caravan drivers on roads.
$27 billion caravan industry 'backbone' of regional tourism
The caravan industry contributes $27 billion annually towards Australia’s GDP, Jason Plant, CEO of The Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CTIAQ) told Yahoo.
Plant doesn't believe that special licencing for drivers towing recreational vehicles is necessary, but instead "subsidised towing courses and expanded educational initiatives" are the best way to "equip drivers with the essential knowledge and skills needed to tow safely. "
The association is calling for a $2 million nationwide safety program to educate drivers on safe towing. "We firmly believe that prioritising education over regulation is the best path forward for improving safety and fostering continued industry growth," he said.
"Investments in safer roads and educational programs are essential to sustaining this growth and supporting the communities that rely on caravanning."
The proposed program would cover common mistakes like proper caravan loading techniques to navigating challenging weather conditions and ensure that drivers are kept up to date with advice, information and guidance from industry leaders.
"This approach is cost-free and effectively reduces risks and enhances confidence for drivers, making every journey safer for all Australians," he said.
"Research shows education and training are the most effective mechanism to change behaviour," he said. "Mandatory licensing doesn’t support positive change behaviours, this is evident through the 12% increase in fatalities across the country."
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Caravan owners urged to 'do more training' to tow safely
Of the 900,000 caravans on Aussie roads, more than 250,000 of them are concentrated in Queensland. The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) told Yahoo it "strongly supports" caravan owners doing more training so they can tow safely.
RACQ's head of public policy Dr Michael Kane told Yahoo there's not enough evidence to support changes to licence requirements for caravan owners.
"Between 2017 and 2021, around 4% of fatal crashes in Queensland involved a light vehicle towing a trailer or caravan, but we don’t know enough about the circumstances of those crashes to determine if a separate caravan licence is needed," he said.
The most common safety issue Kane sees with caravan owners is towing a load that is "too heavy". "If your caravan is overweight, it impacts the way your vehicle handles and can seriously affect your safety behind the wheel."
Road safety researcher's major drawback of subsidised training
Natalie Watson-Brown, whose research at QUT focuses on road safety and education, told Yahoo that drivers take on "multiple risks" when they begin towing a caravan including a heavy load, potentially a larger vehicle as well as other factors including generally driving longer distances on high speed, and often unfamiliar rural roads.
She believes the issue with offering training that is not mandated is only individuals who are "motivated" will participate. "So you potentially miss out on the higher-risk caravan drivers anyway," she said.
Other drivers may consider "one or two" of the risks Watson-Brown outlined, but not everything until they're in a tricky situation. Having the correct communication tools in outback Australia such as an emergency personal locator beacon (PLB), and even a first aid kit are all important topics to cover in effective caravan training, Watson-Brown believes.
Licencing requirements 'hotly debated' topic in caravan parks
John Eggenhuizen has spent nearly three decades training Australia's best 4WD and caravan operators through his business Get About Training Services.
He previously told Yahoo that driver's licence requirements and training mandates are a "hotly debated" subject in caravan parks across the country. "Initially I thought licensing was going to be the answer," he said.
The overall message Eggenhuizen wants to spread is that "as soon as you buy the gear, learn how to use it correctly. "We want people to learn how to tow correctly and gain knowledge and skills to tow confidently around the country," he said.
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