Road rule changes

The NTC have released proposed improvements to the Australian Road Rules in the latest amendment package. One of these changes includes a requirement for drivers to give an advanced left or right turning signal before entering a roundabout.

NTC Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos said 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.

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

You can download a copy of the ARR 8th Amendment Package.