Where “Road Train” Comes From
A road train is a truck that pulls several trailers, often used to carry cattle and freight across the outback where distances are huge. Some of them are many metres long.
The name shows the idea: a train of trailers on the road.
“Give the road train plenty of room on the highway.”
How Aussies Actually Use It
It’s used by drivers and travellers who share the road with them.
In Real Life
A road train is a heavy truck pulling several trailers, used to move livestock and freight across the outback. In some parts of Australia they can be well over 50 metres long. They run on approved routes in remote areas, where the next town can be hundreds of kilometres away. Because they are so long and heavy, they can’t stop quickly, and passing one needs a long, clear stretch of road.
Quick Questions
Why is it risky to overtake a road train?
You need a lot of road to pass a vehicle that long, and the wind and dust it throws can catch you out. Wait for a long clear stretch, or stay behind.
How many trailers does a road train have?
It varies by route and state, but it’s typically more than one trailer, which is what separates it from an ordinary semi-trailer.
Say It Like an Aussie
Say it: ROAD TRAIN.
In conversation:
- A road train just passed us.
- Never overtake a road train.
- The road train was three trailers long.
Good to know: Road trains are very long and can take a lot of road to pass, so be careful when you share an outback road with one.
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