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The UQT survey findings have prompted a call for free driving and safety education courses at places where grey nomads meet, including caravan parks.
Here?s a scary thought. Did you know that many of the grey nomads travelling Australia, often dragging a caravan behind a giant four-wheel drive, have very little experience of towing or outback roads?
Only half of those involved in a recent survey in Queensland believe they have 'extensive towing experience' and most admit they have little experience of driving on unsealed or narrow bitumen roads.
The work was done for UQT as the two people involved, Nadine Brayley and Dr Patricia Obst, surveyed 531 travellers aged 55 or beyond. They were questioned on everything from their overall health to their experience and preparation for towing.
Brayley says there are obvious gaps in their knowledge and experience, yet on 36 per cent say they feel a high need for more information on safety driving.
Among the other scary stuff is that many decided to see Australia after a health scare, yet 78 per cent of people do not travel with a first aid kit. And they are not particularly concerned about safety equipment, with most relying on some form of telephone or radio.
The survey findings have prompted a call for free driving and safety education courses at places where grey nomads meet, including caravan parks.
"Although not wanting to attend formal courses, 92 per cent of survey participants wanted further information on a host of road safety and healthy issues," says Dr Obst.
