Fishtailing caravan captured on truckie dash cam prompts holiday warning
Authorities say a frightening caravan crash caught on camera in Western Australia's south is a timely road safety reminder as travellers hit the road ahead of a long weekend and school holidays.
The driver of a ute towing a caravan narrowly avoided disaster while overtaking a road train carrying grain in the Great Southern on Thursday as the vehicle lost control and swerved off the road.
While both drivers walked away unscathed, the incident comes as thousands towing caravans head onto regional roads across WA.
The number of caravans and motorhomes registered on WA roads has increased for the past five years, according to Department of Transport figures, with authorities urging motorists to take care.
Incorrect weight distribution for caravans can cause them to swerve out of control. (Supplied: Police Media)
'You nearly killed both of us'
Truck driver Natalie Spurr was travelling on Collie-Dumbleyung Road on Thursday morning when she captured the full incident on her dash cam.
Ms Spurr had picked up a load of grain from Lake Grace, 320 kilometres south east of Perth, to be delivered to Wagin.
During the trip, a vehicle towing a caravan began to overtake her truck before it started to fishtail as the driver lost control.
"He was already coming towards my trailers because he was already out of control," she said.
"Then what's my next step? Do I go over the edge, or does he keep coming towards my trailers?
"When I got out, I said, 'Mate, you nearly killed both of us.'"
Ms Spurr said the driver of the ute was in shock but extremely apologetic.
Calls for extra care during school holidays
Three people have died from road incidents involving a vehicle towing a caravan or camper trailer in regional WA this year.
There have been 17 fatalities in the last decade in WA involving a vehicle towing a caravan or camper trailer, with 16 of those in the regions.
As of July 2026, nearly 147,000 caravans and motorhomes were registered on WA roads, according to the Department of Transport.
A Road Safety Commission spokesperson said there were 13 deaths on WA roads during the October school holidays last year, and authorities were urging patience.
The Road Safety Comission says there is a direct correlation between road fatalities and higher speed roads. (ABC South East: Kate Hill )
"Long weekends and school holidays are a particularly challenging time on our roads as they bring increased traffic on busy holiday routes, often on roads with higher speed limits where the most fatalities happen," they said.
"If you're travelling long distances, slow down, take a break every two hours and share the drive if you can."
It is illegal for vehicles towing a caravan or trailer to exceed 100km/h.
Albany Police officer in charge Carlos Correia said there would be a noticeable presence on WA roads over the coming weeks.
Carlos Correia says he does not want to hear of any issues on roads this long weekend. (ABC Great Southern: John Dobson)
"As we speak, we've got the breath and alcohol team from Perth in the Great Southern and will be here for the long weekend," he said.
"We don't want to go to any serious or fatal accidents. We've got a lot of tourists and kids on holidays, so be careful out there.
"We are out there to do a job, and a part of that is making sure people take care and do the right thing."
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