DKT- Each year there are serious crashes involving kangaroos, horses and other farm animals.
- Never use your horn around horses.
- Give Way To Stock sign: drive at a speed that lets you slow or stop for any animal.
- Stop sign at a stock crossing: stop and wait until every animal has crossed.
Animals are unpredictable. They can wander or dart onto the road, so slow down and watch out whenever you see them. See speed limits for how your speed should match conditions.
Horses
- Slow down when you see horses led or ridden on the road.
- Give them as much room as you can, in case the horse moves unexpectedly.
- Never sound your horn near a horse. It can startle even a calm horse and make it bolt, causing a crash.
- Horse riders may turn right from the left lane in a roundabout, but must give way to drivers leaving it.
Farm animals on country roads
Farmers often move sheep or cattle along or across roads. Slow down while you pass them. On country roads you may see:
| Sign | What you must do |
|---|---|
| Give Way To Stock | Travel at a safe speed that lets you slow down or stop to avoid a collision with an animal at or near the sign, or within the distance shown on the sign. |
| Stock crossing ahead (warning) | Warning signs appear on the approach to permanent stock crossings. Be ready to slow down. |
| Stop sign at a stock crossing | Stop before the crossing and do not go until every animal has crossed. |
General rules about giving way
To give way means that if your vehicle might collide with another vehicle, person or animal, you must slow down and, if needed, stop. If you are already stopped, stay stopped until it is safe to go.
Country road conditions
- Dust from oncoming vehicles can hide hazards, including animals, vehicles, dips and corners.
- On unsealed or gravel roads, road holding is reduced and stopping distances are greater. Slow down and leave a bigger gap (see following distance).
- Dawn and dusk sun glare can make it hard to see ahead, so slow down.
Animals carried in a trailer, or on the tray of a ute or truck, must be tethered so they cannot fall off or be injured. A driver must not drive with an animal on their lap.
Based on the Victorian Road to Solo Driving handbook and the VicRoads learner and probationary pages. Rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.
Quick answers
Can you use your horn near a horse?
No. The handbook says never to use your car horn around horses because it may startle them and cause a crash.
What must you do at a Give Way To Stock sign?
Travel at a safe speed so you can slow down or stop to avoid a collision with an animal at or near the sign or within the distance shown on it.