You'll fit in OK, as they say... "When in Rome"

I seem to remember there was a poster in the old days who had a bit of an explanation for this one.

Apparently it's expected that some motorists pull out and go straight into the fast lane...if memory serves...and that the people in the slow lane keep going..

if this is true - it only goes to show that not all assumptions are correct and local knowledge and custom may differ.

It's a bit like on the continent of Europe; noone flashes their lights to say 'Go on' - like people do in the UK. Like the UK Highway code actually prescribes, it means 'Don't even think about it - I'm here'. Subtle differences, but big ramifications..

deliberately driving down one way streets because it is "quicker")

Are you not allowed to drive down one way streets in Oz?

Oi! I'm still here

That is exactly the reason. As you can turn onto the dual carriageway into either lane (because you might be crossing over or turning right soon) the person already on the road does not know what you want to do. The safest and most courteous thing they can do is to carry on in the lane they are in. You're making a prick of yourself if you pull out to force them to change lanes. Also someone changing lanes just before a junction is making a prick of themselves as well, as they could be screwing up the intentions of the driver pulling out. If you don't want to wait then you should pull out into the right lane, let them pass on the left and then move back to the left.

You may find (and I certainly do) that on Freeways, more people do move over as the person joining the road should only join in the left lane.

is that in the highway code? sounds ridiculously dangerous unless everyone is on the same page -which clearly they arent

The turning into either lane is in the Vic road rules.

The locals here are on the same page. Maybe some of the newbies aren't. Which is why I've always said they should have kept the written test as part of the licence swap. There are quite a few things that could be dangerous if people drive to UK rules. How many people know that you have to give way to pedestrians on a slip road? How many people know that you're supposed to give way to a pedestrian crossing the main road when you are turning onto the main road, etc..?

That is all well and good except for the occasion when two cars join the road coming out in front of you, and they take one lane each.

I had to use the hard shoulder to get past both of them, and at about 160kph it was a bit nerve racking for me....

Should I point out that's people getting the rule wrong? A problem common to all rules

160km you naughty boy! But yeah I've experienced that, but its those who don't let you merge that are the problem. I believe you have right of way if you are merging onto a freeway and you are ahead of the car already on the freeway, it doesn't mean they should speed up so that you don't get in ahead of them! I've come up a slip lane to join traffic that is going at 100km/hr only to find someone has stopped at the end of the sliproad because either they couldnt merge or lost their nerve! It was very hairy trying to merge in that situation! And a GIVE WAY sign means you stop and give way! Perhaps some people can't read signs despite living in the 'smart state'. I had to do the theory test when I came to Oz and while I don't believe I am a perfect driver I do try to abide by the road rules and not cause accidents. But I see sheer stupidity in people driving everyday and so I am not surprised there are so many accidents!

Went to New Zealand earlier this year and noticed a difference with the driving there.................much more civilised, and courteous driving!

It depends on the white lines, no white lines or broken white line.... but I need to read up to see which is which, no wonder there are problems, or is it just me with my memory....

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/n...8104/s149.html
however
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/n...104/s148a.html

Therefore,
no white line = car in front wins
broken white line = car already in lane, wins

Disagreement with that = collision or middle finger.

Solid white line at a slow merge (e.g. from The Gateway to M1 southbound around 6pm any weekday) = anything goes ... a curious mixture of stupidity, impatience and arrogance ...

>>You may find (and I certainly do) that on Freeways, more people do move over as the person joining the road should only join in the left lane.<<

Meelie's right - one of the ridiculous rules is that it's up to the person already on the freeway to give way to those joining.

It means that a joining driver can legally do whatever he wants as regards speed or entry position (no coarse comments, please) and those on the motorway must brake, change lanes or whatever.

Believe me, I've seen some bizarre ways of using the accelerate lane including accelerating to light velocity then jamming on the brakes, screwing the car between a couple of cars on the inside lane (tailgating) and shooting straight through to the fast lane. It can be like watching a pachinko game....

For the freeways down here that's not true. The rule you are talking about is a zip merge which is where the line between the lanes just ends (i.e. there is no dotted line between the lanes when they merge). On freeways down here there is always a dotted line between the slip lane and the freeway which means that the car crossing the dotted line does not have priority.

Regardless of the rules, I agree that it is rude to try and prevent people merging by speeding up or closing the gap.

For Victoria she's not right. On freeways down here the person on the main carriageway has priority as the slip lanes are separated from the main carriageway with a dotted line. I suspect it's no different in NSW but somehow some peeps have got the wrong end of the stick.

Did you do the theory test when you came?

That's the problem, so many new arrivals don't know the rules, and get it wrong.