Understand Common Misunderstood Road Rules to Avoid Unanticipated Penalties

According to TfNSW [Transport for New South Wales, Australia], there are several misunderstood road rules. Even qualified drivers have doubts and ask questions like can you drive through yellow lights or should the slow vehicles keep left? To avoid the unanticipated demerit points and fines, let’s understand the commonly misunderstood road rules.

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Roundabouts

When making a U-turn or turning left or right at the roundabouts, drivers need to use their indicators as they approach closer. It alerts the following vehicles of your intention to turn. If the car is going straight ahead there is no need for the signal while they approach the roundabout. Indicate left turn as you exit a roundabout. However, while traveling straight on a single lane small roundabout, it is impractical to indicate left turn while exiting.

Giving way at roundabouts

When you enter an intersection, you need to give way to cars on right as well as to vehicles that are already moving in the roundabout. Several drivers don’t slow as they approach a roundabout, which can cause an accident.

Give way at an intersection

At an intersection, if the car is turning right or left give way to pedestrians already crossing the road. The road rule applies to intersection having or not having traffic lights.

Merging

• Merging when lane numbers get reduced – Driver in lane A has to give way to any car moving ahead [lane B] in the same direction, while it merges from reduced lanes. Car A has to give way to Vehicle B.
• Merging when the marked lane ends – While crossing the broken lines [lane B] the driver has to give way to the lane A vehicle. Car B has to give way to Vehicle A.

Keeping left

On the roads that allow speed limit of 80 km/h and more, drivers must keep on the left-hand side, except while overtaking, making U-turn, turning right, driving in jammed traffic, or avoiding some hurdle. Regardless of speed limit keep left if you see a display reading ‘Keep left Unless Overtaking’.

U-turns

The motorist needs to keep an eye on their view mirror to identify approaching traffic, while they make a U-turn. Give way to every moving vehicle and even pedestrian. U-turns are not allowed across –

• The two continuous parallel dividing lines.
• A single continuous dividing line.
• At traffic lights where ‘U-turn permitted’ sign not in display.
• A single continuous dividing line on the left side of the broken line.

Head-light & fog light

If the distance between two cars traveling in the same direction or the oncoming vehicle is less than 200 meters than head beam flashing is an offense unless it is in an emergency. Fog lights are approved while driving in a mist, fog, or weather conditions that limit visibility.

School zones

Red or orange school zone signs indicate non-standard times in NSW. The times that apply are mentioned on the signs placed near the schools. On school days the speed limit has to be 40 km/h at the school zone between 8 am to 9:30 am & 2:30 pm to 4 pm.

Yellow traffic light

Drivers who stop to fail at yellow traffic lights get penalized unless it is not safe to do.