Unsealed Roads
Patrol Grading
The Regional Council of Goyder is responsible for over 1800km of unsealed roads. The condition of unsealed roads can change quickly, with the biggest contributing factors being rain, traffic type, traffic volume and traffic speed. Grading is generally performed during the winter months when moisture conditions of the roads are optimum for grading works
Road Conditions
Changing Road Conditions.
Over time, unsealed roads become corrugated, potholed, rough, slippery, muddy and/or dusty. All of these are normal and unavoidable conditions that change often, and drivers must remain vigilant when driving on unsealed roads; i.e. travel at lower speeds and expect the unexpected. It is also important to note that road conditions change after grading; unsealed roads are often more slippery after they have been graded than they were before the grading. During dry periods, grading tends to spread loose gravel over the road and in wet conditions, until the road surface has formed a dense crust, moisture can penetrate the gravel layer. If rain follows soon after a road has been graded, the road may become “sloppy” and very slippery. Sometimes, a road may be better left with potholes and corrugations than be graded.
What You Can Do to Help.
1. Slow down. Travelling quickly on unsealed roads causes more dust, more pot holes and more corrugations..
2. If possible, keep heavy vehicles off the road when it has been raining. Roads are more vulnerable when saturated and trucks can cause significant damage to a wet road, especially one that has just been graded. In wet conditions, try to postpone truck movements until the road has dried.
3. Understand the nature of unsealed roads. They will be rough and muddy or dusty at times; does the road really need grading now?
4. Drive to suit the conditions. Drivers are responsible for their own safety and that of other users of the road. If a road is known to be rough or slippery, drive at an appropriate speed.
5. Expect the unexpected. Never assume an unsealed road is going to be the same as it was the last time you drove on it, even if it is the same day.