Driving in Australia
Sep 8th 2011 | 8:42 pm
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28,175
From: at the bottom of a wine glass
Re: Driving in Australia
Okay, my apologies. This has changed recently. My step-daughter is on P plates and lives in SA.
On L plates she couldn't do more than 80. Now, on Ps she can do 100 but is still limited to 100 if the speed limit is 110.
This really is one area of law that needs to be covered by federal law I reckon.
On L plates she couldn't do more than 80. Now, on Ps she can do 100 but is still limited to 100 if the speed limit is 110.
This really is one area of law that needs to be covered by federal law I reckon.
It was 100 when I was on P's - that was just over 2 years ago
Sep 9th 2011 | 5:44 pm
#33
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Posts: 9,910
From: The REAL Utopia.
Re: Driving in Australia
Basically it would appear that most Australian drivers are not actually very good at driving, have zero comprehension of the idea of lane discipline, can't merge, drive way too close and prefer to undertake than overtake. Apart from those few things they aren't too bad.....really.
Sep 9th 2011 | 6:18 pm
#34
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Re: Driving in Australia
Basically it would appear that most Australian drivers are not actually very good at driving, have zero comprehension of the idea of lane discipline, can't merge, drive way too close and prefer to undertake than overtake. Apart from those few things they aren't too bad.....really.
I'd say most Australian drivers are as good as British ones, unless you are living in redneck ville - or have an axe to grind.
I mean 'can't merge' - it's not in the nation's genes - you know.
Drivers in Melbourne seem to be able to merge quite happily - at the Wellington Road intersection anyhow...
I was thinking about undetaking the other day when I was driving - they undertake because they are allowed to. If anything, this causes double the opportunity for mishap or misunderstanding - IMHO. If it was outlawed, we would have very similar conditions to the UK with regards to apparent lane discipline.
Sep 9th 2011 | 6:29 pm
#36
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From: Brisbane
Re: Driving in Australia
My husband got a fine in NSW when we first arrived because we did a u-turn at traffic lights. In the UK, you can do this if it's safe to do so. In NSW, you CAN'T do a u-turn unless there is a sign telling you it's permitted.
After he got that fine we wondered what else we didn't know so looked up the driving rules and regs on the RTA website (NSW traffic authority). Each state has a brochure.
Just an observation but in Sydney there aren't many roundabouts and the few that I encounter are very dangerous as noone seems to know what to do!
After he got that fine we wondered what else we didn't know so looked up the driving rules and regs on the RTA website (NSW traffic authority). Each state has a brochure.
Just an observation but in Sydney there aren't many roundabouts and the few that I encounter are very dangerous as noone seems to know what to do!
This highlights one of the inter-state differences. In Vic, it's the same rule as the UK, you can do a U-turn unless signed that you can't.
I know they tried to nationalise the rules in the 90s and there has been some convergence but with some of the rules you can see the cost of changing would just outweigh the minimal benefits gained.
I guess a big one to mention is that you shouldn't park against the flow of traffic. That seems to catch quite a few.
I know they tried to nationalise the rules in the 90s and there has been some convergence but with some of the rules you can see the cost of changing would just outweigh the minimal benefits gained.
I guess a big one to mention is that you shouldn't park against the flow of traffic. That seems to catch quite a few.
Can you both clarify please this for your State.
In QLD you can't do a U-Turn at traffic lights unless a sign says you can.
Anywhere else is ok unless a sign says you can't. (plus normal rules like U-Turning across a white line etc...)
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Que...r/U-turns.aspx
Does this differ from other States?
Last edited by Alfresco; Sep 9th 2011 at 6:46 pm.
Sep 9th 2011 | 7:22 pm
#37
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,237
From: Perth
Re: Driving in Australia
In QLD you can't do a U-Turn at traffic lights unless a sign says you can.
Anywhere else is ok unless a sign says you can't. (plus normal rules like U-Turning across a white line etc...)
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Que...r/U-turns.aspx
Does this differ from other States?
Anywhere else is ok unless a sign says you can't. (plus normal rules like U-Turning across a white line etc...)
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Que...r/U-turns.aspx
Does this differ from other States?
3.14.3 ‘U’ turns
You must not make a ‘U’ turn:
- unless the turn can be made safely and without interfering with the movement of other traffic;
- if there is a ‘NO U TURN’ sign;
- at traffic control signals (unless there is a ‘U TURN PERMITTED’ sign); or on a freeway.
Remember, when making a ‘U’ turn, the correct procedure is to:
- look in your rear view mirror;
- indicate/signal your intentions;
- give way to all pedestrians and traffic;
- check for following traffic by glancing over your shoulder; and
- turn only if it is safe to do so
3.10 Traffic CONTROL Signals
You cannot do a ‘U’ turn at an intersection with traffic control signals unless there is a ‘U TURN PERMITTED’ sign.
Failure to give way to a pedestrian or oncoming vehicle when turning at an intersection; or to a pedestrian or other vehicle when making a U turn: fine of 3 penalty units, 3 demerit points.
Sep 9th 2011 | 8:36 pm
#38
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28,175
From: at the bottom of a wine glass
Re: Driving in Australia
Basically it would appear that most Australian drivers are not actually very good at driving, have zero comprehension of the idea of lane discipline, can't merge, drive way too close and prefer to undertake than overtake. Apart from those few things they aren't too bad.....really.
Sep 9th 2011 | 8:56 pm
#40
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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From: at the bottom of a wine glass
Sep 9th 2011 | 9:12 pm
#42
Rhino with a big horn!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,117
Re: Driving in Australia
Yep.
Can you both clarify please this for your State.
In QLD you can't do a U-Turn at traffic lights unless a sign says you can.
Anywhere else is ok unless a sign says you can't. (plus normal rules like U-Turning across a white line etc...)
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Que...r/U-turns.aspx
Does this differ from other States?
Can you both clarify please this for your State.
In QLD you can't do a U-Turn at traffic lights unless a sign says you can.
Anywhere else is ok unless a sign says you can't. (plus normal rules like U-Turning across a white line etc...)
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Que...r/U-turns.aspx
Does this differ from other States?
