This blog post summarizes a recent Griffith University study that analyzed how Australians drove during Tropical Cyclone Alfred (March 6–9, 2025).
It reviews the survey findings, highlights patterns of essential and non-essential travel, and explains the safety implications for emergency messaging and community preparedness.
What the Griffith University study examined and why it matters
The research surveyed 319 drivers to capture real-world behavior during the four-day event.
Understanding who drives, when, and why during and after a cyclone helps emergency managers target safety messages and prioritize road clearance.
Key driving patterns observed during Cyclone Alfred
The study found that 29.47% of respondents drove at least once during the cyclone period.
Driving declined as the storm neared landfall on Saturday but rose again on Sunday after conditions calmed.
- Sample size: 319 drivers surveyed
- Overall driving: 29.47% drove on one or more days
- Daily breakdown: 1.94% drove every day, 6.45% drove three days, 7.42% drove two days, 11.60% drove one day
- Temporal trend: Lower activity approaching landfall; increased activity after the cyclone passed
Why people were on the road: essential versus non‑essential trips
Survey responses reveal a mix of motivations.
Many journeys were clearly essential — obtaining food, supplies, or relocating for safety.
A substantial share were non‑essential, such as going to the gym or meeting friends.
On Friday, visits to family and friends increased, often prompted by power outages or to check on vulnerable neighbors.
Work-related driving declined notably as businesses shut down at the peak of the storm.
After the cyclone passed, people quickly resumed less critical travel, including inspecting property damage and visiting beaches.
Risks that remain after the weather clears
Calmer skies do not equal safe conditions.
The research team emphasized several post-storm hazards that drivers may underestimate.
Specific post-storm dangers highlighted by the study
Floodwater, debris, and traffic light outages were singled out as persistent risks in the aftermath.
Even shallow floodwater can sweep vehicles off the road or conceal damaged pavement.
Debris reduces traction, and inoperative signals increase collision risk at intersections.
- Floodwater: Avoid driving through moving or standing water; depth and current are deceptive.
- Debris and damage: Fallen trees, building wreckage, and potholes can disable vehicles and create secondary hazards.
- Traffic control failures: Outages at intersections require drivers to treat them as four-way stops and proceed with extreme caution.
Practical takeaways for public safety messaging and community resilience
Lead author Dr. Matt Stainer recommends using these empirical insights to shape public communications before, during, and after extreme weather.
Clear guidance can reduce unnecessary travel and lower risks to both motorists and emergency responders.
Actionable recommendations
From my 30 years in emergency management research, I offer these practical steps for individuals and authorities:
- Prioritize preparedness: keep emergency supplies and charged devices to reduce last‑minute trips.
- Delay non-essential travel for at least 24–72 hours after a cyclone, until roads are assessed and cleared.
- Monitor official channels for road closures and hazard alerts before venturing out.
- Practice community cooperation: check on neighbors by phone when possible, and leave road access clear for emergency vehicles.
Here is the source article for this story: Driving behaviors during extreme weather events explored