Currently throughout Queensland there are significant mobs of cattle grazing in the long paddock and motorists do not realise these cattle have right of way.
With almost two thirds (65 per cent) of Queensland drought declared and some of these areas have been experiencing dry conditions since 2013.
This has pushed livestock producers to think outside their property boundaries for options to keep stock alive and well-fed.
Queensland motorists should take care on all roads fronting stock routes as more stock are being placed on the stock route.
Mark Vayro is a risk specialist with farm insurer Achmea servicing farmers in the Toowoomba, Lockyer and Southern Downs regions, said while roadside grazing has been a lifeline for cattle producers it is a legal grey area for motorists.
Most of the producers and drovers using the resource know their responsibilities while grazing this area, but Mr Vayro says motorists are often unaware of the rules around livestock on the road.
"Livestock collisions are one of the most common vehicle claims for people living in our regions, particularly now during the ongoing and persistent drought," Mr Vayro said.
"With a beast on average weighing more than half a tonne, who gives way to who, what are your legal obligations and if there is a collision - who pays what?"
"The Queensland law still gives right of way to livestock on our roads.
"Any damage caused to the motorist's vehicle or injury to driver and/or passengers from the contact of cattle cannot pass liability/guilt onto the cattle owner; thereby preventing any recovery against the owner of the stock."
Each council area does have local by-laws relating to grazing on roadsides that producers need to stick to, which includes obtaining a permit, putting up warning signs and only grazing during daylight hours.
Boss drover Bill Little has spent most of his life in the long paddock and one of the best in the business, said a drover on the road with cattle has the right of way.
"My signs are out all the time, and I have flagged motorists down and asked them if they had seen my signs and they have told me no," he said.
"What happens is most motorists become sign blind when travelling."
Mr Little said when he is moving cattle in what he describes as 'black spots' he places drovers at each end to warn motorists to slow down.
"Basically we call these blokes 'our lollipop men' similar to those in school zones.
"There really needs to be better signage on the roads by local and state governments and maybe more cartoon types that grab people's attention."
Mr Little said a drover's public liability cover will not cover him if his signs are not out and a motorist hits a beast.
Western Downs cattle producer Tom Nixon runs Devon Court at Drillham, and didn't receive a drop of rain from December to March and if it doesn't rain soon he will have no choice but to sell more livestock.
And with large numbers of cattle travelling past his property in the past few weeks, including a mob of 1600 headed for Dalby and another that originated in NSW, Mr Nixon experiences roadside livestock as both a beef producer and a motorist.
"When there is cattle on the road, please don't get frustrated - they've (motorists) have got to have a think about the circumstances of why the cattle are on the road in the first place," Mr Nixon said.
"I know what is like myself, having to slow down - but it is your fault if you hit them, you've got to give way.
"It is a means to an end, not a fattening block - it is called the long paddock for a reason."
Cattle walking the stock routes are under under control are generally quiet but like all livestock can unpredictable if startled.
If the cattle remain on the road blocking the motorists path slowly move closer and give the livestock time to know you are there - don't use your horn or get out of the car as it will only startle the animals.