Truck Talk Australia: Road rule safety changes

Proposed improvements to the Australian Road Rules include a requirement for drivers to give an advanced left or right turning signal before entering a roundabout.

“A driver is already required to warn other road users if they are turning left or right on the approach to intersections so applying the same rule for roundabouts simply reflects current practice and makes common sense,” said NTC Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos.

The recommendation is included in a package of amendments to the Australian Road Rules (ARR) released by the National Transport Commission (NTC) for public consultation. 

Other proposed changes clarify the intent of the existing rules and promote better understanding, including:

The wider use of shared zones to improve pedestrian safety
Giving way to pedestrians who are crossing the road a driver is turning into
Overtaking a long vehicle on the left on a multi lane highway
Leaving marked lanes (eg: trucks use left lane) to make a turn 
Keeping crossings clear at traffic lights or children’s crossings
Mobile phones must not be held in the hand (or between the shoulder and neck) while driving, including for the use of GPS vehicle tracking functions on phones
The insertion of examples and improved wording for some rules

NTC welcomes public submissions on the proposal by 4th July 2008.

What are Australian Road Rules?

Prior to the adoption of Australian Road Rules in 1999, road laws varied between States and Territories. This caused driver confusion, which potentially impacted on road safety and transport efficiency.

Australian Road Rules are ‘Model Rules’ only and have no legal effect,  they form the basis of road laws in each State and Territory. The National Transport Commission maintains the rules in consultation with the Australian Road Rules Maintenance Group.