LivingTravelAustralian traffic rules

Australian traffic rules

Once you hit the road, here are some Australian traffic rules to remember:

  • If you are driving slowly, getting used to traffic, the lane for you is the leftmost lane if there is more than one lane in the direction you are going.
  • If you are traveling on a motorway or motorway, Australian traffic regulations say that you must stay in the left lane (or one of the left lanes if there are more than two lanes in the same direction) unless you are passing. There would be signs to remind you of this.
  • If entering and crossing an intersection, drivers are routinely directed to the motorist on the right unless he or she is stopped by a STOP or YIELD sign. At a T-intersection, the motorist driving in a straight line has the right of way.
  • Do not sound your horn unless you are in a situation where you need to warn another driver, for example when you are about to hit them.
  • The speed limit in an urbanized residential area has long been 60 kilometers per hour (35 mph), but it has been lowered in many places to 50 kilometers per hour, such as in the suburbs of Brisbane and several areas of Sydney. Other cities may have adopted the lower limit as well. Be aware of posted speed limits and check with locals. On roads and highways, the usual speed limit has been 100 km / h (62 mph) or 110 km / h (68 mph), especially on motorways, unless signs indicate another speed limit. The speed limit has already been lowered on certain sections of the Newcastle motorway and on the M4 motorway in Sydney. Since 1 November 2003, the New South Wales Highway and Traffic Authority has decreed that the urban speed limit in New South Wales is 50 km / h. This is in line with the adoption of a national predetermined urban speed limit of 50 km / h. Streets that are used primarily for traffic and access to main roads will remain signposted at 60 km / h, or faster, even if there are residential properties on the street.
  • If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive unless your blood alcohol level is below 0.05.
  • Seat belts must be worn by drivers and passengers at all times.

Some road signs to keep in mind:

  • There is no stopping. Well, sure, you can’t stand still while driving a car. What it means is that you cannot stop in the indicated area except to allow a passenger to get on or off a vehicle, and you certainly cannot park there.
  • NO STOP Except in the case of medical emergencies, do not stop in the designated area.
  • NO PARKING. Just what it means. You can unload and unload passengers, but you should not leave your vehicle parked there.
  • BUS AREA. Well, leave that to the buses. Taxi area. The same for taxis.
  • LOADING AND UNLOADING AREA. If you drive a truck, ute, van or wagon, you can park here if you are delivering or picking up any type of cargo. If you drive a passenger car, you may have to explain what you are loading or unloading.
  • The Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Sydney Harbor Tunnel, and some of the motorways and roads are toll roads, so have your change ready to get through the tolls quickly. An increasing number of cars are equipped with transponders that allow them to pass through specially marked doors without stopping. An encoded magnetic card has also been available for some toll roads. On some toll roads, only transponders called electronic tags (and temporary e-Way passes) can be used.
  • Driving in Australia: do it the Australian way
  • Doing the Melbourne Hook turn

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