As technology continues to evolve, it's important to understand the mobile phone road rules in Australia to ensure your safety on the road.
Motoring
How to keep spiders out of your car and stay safe on the road
Encountering a spider in your car can be unnerving, but it's important to stay calm and address the situation safely to avoid road accidents. Follow this guide to handling spiders in your car, and find out how to deter them to prevent potential problems.
Most spiders pose little threat, so it's important to stay calm if you do encounter one in your car. If you notice a spider while driving, do not attempt to swat it. Keep your hands on the wheel and your attention on the road, and stop at a safe location, where you can safely remove the spider from your car.
“Distracted driving is a major contributor to road crashes,” says RACV Head of Policy James Williams. “Just as mobile phones and infotainment screens can draw your attention away from the road, the fright caused by a spider could also present a significant safety concern.”
The Victorian Transport Accident Commission (TAC) warns that taking your eyes off the road for two seconds or more when driving doubles your crash risk.
Follow this guide to safely handling a spider encounter in your car without the risk of an accident, along with measures you can take to prevent future spider issues.
Huntsman spiders can easily find their way into your car. Image: Getty
What to do if there is a spider in your car
The best thing to do if you notice a spider in your car is to remain calm, maintain control of the vehicle and keep driving until you find a safe space to pull over, stop and turn off the engine.
Once you are safely parked, open the door, and try to let the spider escape by itself. Even though most spiders are not aggressive, they may bite in self-defence if frightened, threatened or accidentally touched, the Department of Health advises. If you feel confident that it will not harm you, carefully cover it with a container like a glass jar, slide a piece of paper under it, and let it go away from the car.
Remember, if you see a spider on a seat, dashboard or window when you are driving, avoid panicking or swerving suddenly. Keep your hands on the wheel and your attention on the road until you can stop at a safe location.
When cleaning the outside of your car, give extra attention to side mirrors. Image: Getty
How to keep spiders out of your car
Spiders are typically attracted to confined spaces where there’s warmth, dirt and dust. They might take advantage of open doors or windows to get into your car but can also find their way in through small cracks in the roof, window rails or along the edge of the doors.
Once inside the car, spiders may look for a hiding spot that doesn’t vibrate, such as the ceiling, steering wheel, dashboard or the front sun visors. Without being found, spiders can survive for many months inside the car, particularly if there is a food source, such as crumbs.
Here are steps you can take to keep spiders out of your car:
Keep the car clean
Keeping the car clean from crumbs, clutter, rubbish, dirt and debris is one of the best ways to deter spiders.
Make sure you clean the interior of the car, including tight spots where spiders like to hide: air conditioning vents, the roof, carpet, sun visors and steering wheel, for example.
When cleaning the outside of your car, give extra attention to side mirrors, under wheel arches and behind the grille. Also check under the bonnet and remove any twigs or leaves that may have built up around the car that can provide extra shelter.
More: How to wash, clean and detail your car
Keep your windows and doors shut and well-sealed
Spiders can get into your car through marginal cracks, so make sure your car is securely shut – doors closed and windows put all the way to the top.
Also make sure any gaps in your door trim or rubber seals that a spider could sneak through are thoroughly closed up. You could also ask your mechanic to check the condition of the door seals when you take the car in for its next service.
Parking near trees is a common way spiders find their way into your car. Image: Getty
Avoid parking the car near trees and bushes
Try your best not to park in places where spiders may frequent, such as below trees or near bushes or debris. This can encourage spiders to crawl into your car for shelter, particularly in wet weather.
If you frequently find spiders in your car, it may be worth contacting a pest control professional for advice or service.
Use a natural scent or spray in and around the car
Certain natural scents, such as eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender, are known to deter spiders.
Dabbing essential oils such as these on a cotton bud or using them in a spray and circulating in areas such as the boot, glove compartment, air vents and door frames could be worth a try.
To make a spray, add about 200mL of water, five drops of one of the abovementioned oils, and a few drops of dishwashing detergent into a spray bottle. Avoid spraying onto any digital screens or other surfaces in the car that might not be suitable for these substances.
A surface spray might also prove effective in problem areas like under the front and rear bumper and the wheel arches, and around the edge of the exterior mirrors.
Avoid being distracted while driving and understand inbuilt device laws. Image: Matt Harvey
Tips to avoid distracted driving accidents
Distracted driving has been shown to be a factor in 16 per cent of serious casualty road crashes in Australia. The TAC says driving distracted can reduce your reaction time, lead to you drifting into other lanes, and increase your risk of nose-to-tail crashes.
Make sure you understand inbuilt device and car screen laws in Victoria, as well as mobile phone rules for fully licenced drivers and those on the L or P plates, and avoid driving when tired or fatigued.
New cars sold in Australia today are also increasingly fitted with a range of advanced safety systems, including driver attention monitoring and lane depature warning. This technology can help keep you and others safe on the road.
