KEEPING IT TOGETHER

4X4 AUSTRALIA'S HOW-TO OFF-ROAD DRIVING SERIES

- DEAN MELLOR

LIKE many things, sharing your adventures when you're out four-wheel driving is better than doing it on your own. So whether you're four-wheeling with mates, touring with your local 4x4 club, or are part of an organized tagalong group, whenever you travel in company with other vehicles, all drivers should formulate and stick to a set of rules to ensure everyone stays safe and no one gets lost. These rules are commonly referred to as convoy procedure.

Having set rules when you head out bush might sound a bit draconian, but if the convoy is just a rabble of travellers without any organization - or the ability to communicate with each other some in the group could soon become hopelessly lost. The other advantage of adhering to proper convoy procedure is that all travellers can be alerted to potential hazards along the route.

Not only will following a few simple convoy rules ensure all convoy participants will safely find their way to the intended destination, it will also minimize stress and ensure everyone has a good time while out on the tracks ... and isn't that what four-wheel driving is all about?

CLEAR COMMS

ONCE everyone has met up for the start of a trip, it's important to get everyone together for a powwow to go through proper convoy procedure. First up, a trip leader needs to be assigned, and this person needs to be an experienced four-wheel driver who knows what they are doing and where they are going. A trip leader who doesn't know where he/she is going can lead the whole convoy into precarious situations, or even become lost.