Please note: The descriptions and
explanations of Road Laws and Road Rules are our interpretation only and are not
to considered as binding
legal advice.
It's official - all South Australian Learner and P1 Drivers are banned from
using mobile phones in any way while driving!
(Extract from letter to all L and P1 drivers 3rd August 2009)
From 31st August 2009, all Learner's Permit and P1 Licence holders will
be banned from using any type of mobile phone function while driving. The mobile
phone ban includes:
using hands-free mode including Bluetooth technology
loud speaker operation
text messaging
You
can still use your mobile phone in your car but you must pull over and park
safely before doing so.
The
penalty for using a mobile phone while driving will be $218 and three demerit
points!
Martin Small
REGISTRAR OF MOTOR VEHICLES
This
is the first of several new Learner and P Plate laws to be brought in over the
next 12 months. Others include 12 months minimum and 75 logged hours for all
Learner's. We know it's coming, we just don't know exactly when.
Once
you are on your P2's or full licence you will be permitted to use the hands free
functions of your mobile phone as long the phone is correctly mounted in your
car and the function you use does not require you to touch the phone at all.
Mobile Phones are more distracting than anything else! Don't dial! Never text
while driving, don't write text messages, don't read them either!
It
is said that we take our eyes away from the road 4 times longer to use a mobile
phone than to do any other in-car function! Text messaging is the worst!
Wait until you are safely and legally parked to use the phone.
Your friends and family would rather wait for your reply that never see you again!
NOTHING is so important that it can't wait a few minutes!
Texting While Driving Advert
- WARNING!
This video IS
graphic!
These are things we
have noticed that people get wrong, don't know or that the rule makers
have simply not told us or made clear. Hope it makes sense. If not, please
email us with
your road rule comments or questions.
SLOW DOWN NEAR
PEDESTRIANS! This is not a law as such, just common sense! As a driver, you
have a duty of care not to hit a pedestrian. (Also see
Driving to the conditions below). Your
vehicle will do huge damage to any pedestrian.
Even if the
pedestrian was doing the wrong thing it would be horrible to hit them. Look for
and slow down when you see people around. EXPECT that they WILL suddenly step or
run in front of you.
GIVE WAY TO
PEDESTRIANS CROSSING THE ROAD YOU ARE TURNING INTO!
Whether you are turning left or right into a small side street or onto a main
road, look for and give way to any Pedestrian crossing or about to cross that
road at or near the intersection.
This means that you have to slow and be ready
to stop for Pedestrians every time you turn. This especially applies when
turning left from a main road.
Fire Hydrants or as
we usually have here in SA, Fire Plugs in the road, were marked by a white post
with a red cap. The Law was, don't park in front of the post.
Things are
changing. Many Fire Plugs are now marked with a blue reflector near the middle
of the road and yellow paint on the metal "plug" or plate in the road. There is
often also a short length of solid yellow line painted beside the fire plug at
the edge of the road.
Either way, it's
simple once you know. Don't park your vehicle any where that prevents the Fire
Brigade from easily attaching their hoses to the fire plug or hydrant.
Merging Rules Merging rules and laws seem to still be confusing
for SA drivers. Who gives way? Who signals where and when?
A good guide is to look for lines marked on the road. If you are
crossing a line of any sort (See diagram 1 & 2) you must give way.
If there are no lines to
cross (See diagram 3) it’s a Zip merge. Then give way to anyone on your left or right if any
part of their vehicle is ahead of your vehicle.
Diagram 1
Lane change.
Really simple, we all should know this one. Car B - the vehicle changing lanes - should always give way
to traffic in the lane it is changing into.
Diagram 2
Most people understand Lane End. We've had them in SA for ever
and every one knows what to do.
Car B is crossing a "lane
end" or "give way" line so must give way. Just make sure you don't confuse them
with the Zip Merge (Diagram 3) which is totally different.
Diagram 3
This is a Zip Merge. The
"new" one, introduced during the year 2000.
If any part of the other
vehicle on your left or right is ahead of you, then
you
must give way. Zip Merges happen at any place two lines of traffic
are forced into one line or lane and there are no lines to cross.
The cars in this diagram may have just left two marked lanes or
may have been in two lines of traffic on a wide un-laned road, either way, the
car in front gets to go first.
Who signals? If you will be moving across into another lane or
line of traffic you must signal. It's the law. It also means you have much more
chance of being "let" in.
Speed Limits The general speed limits on South Australian roads aren’t what they used to
be and a surprising number of people still have no idea they have changed.
The Open Road Limit outside the metro area is 100kph. 110kph only applies
on specifically signposted roads! Many of our hills roads now have an 80kph
limit. Other 80 roads have now been made 70. Don’t get caught out! It's
been like this for years but lots of people are still confused.
The Metro and other built up area speed limit is 50kph.
It's been that way since 2003. All roads are 50 unless there are signs that say
different. It's nothing to do with back streets and main roads. The default
speed is now 50! Many main roads are "marked up" to higher speeds but be careful
there are several that are 50.
Getting it right is simple. Do 50kph or less until you see a sign
that tells you differently.
Also, watch your speed limit changes. If you are in a 60 zone for
example, and approaching an 80 zone, you must wait until you pass the
80 Sign before you raise your driving speed. Likewise, if
you are in the 80 zone and approaching a 60 zone, you must slow your
speed before reaching the sign, so that you are already doing 60
before you pass the Sign.
Remember the speed limit is the maximum speed you are
permitted to drive. Driving slower than the limit is fine and safer. Don't feel
pushed to "do the limit" if conditions mean that it is not safe.
Driving To The Conditions Remember, the Speed Limit is often still too fast for the
conditions at the time. Legally, even if you are within the speed limit but due
to the situation or conditions, your choice of speed contributes to the cause of
a crash, you will be charged with driving with undue care or something similar.
We often see drivers making poor speed choices. Driving too fast
in congested situations. Too fast and too close in wet conditions. Too fast in
fog and other poor visibility situations. Too fast near pedestrians, road
workers, children. Slow down for these and other danger places. It makes almost
no difference to your over-all travel time and could well save a life. It's your
choice!
From time to time we receive emails from you,
asking about specific Road Law situations. We share those questions and our answers here. We have left out
any identifying details and tried to condense our answers to just the relevant
information.
Understand that our replies have not been
considered by a Crown Solicitor or other legal
professional. They must not be considered as legal advise. We are not Lawyers, but where possible have tried to give
what is the generally accepted interpretation of the law in the situation
described.
If you
are seeking answers to Road Law questions because of a Legal situation e.g.
involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident, we would strongly advise that you seek
Legal Advice and don't just take our word for it. By all means, ask us and take
on board our reply, but get Legal Advice if you need it.
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:38 AM Subject: Footwear
Are there any rules concerning
what a driver must or must not have on their feet while driving? We have a
lot of staff on the road and I would like to know.
From: Drive Smart Driving School
To: Mark W Sent: Friday, 13 March 2009 3:05 PM Subject: Re: Footwear
Hi Mark,
sorry we
took so long, but after exhausting all avenues available from this end,
we have come to the conclusion that there are no hard and fast "Road
Rules" about what one should wear on one's feet whilst driving, except
the excerpt included below from the Driver's Handbook, page 18.
A local
business that conducts a type of Defensive Driving course, encourages
participants to take their shoes off for the braking exercises. They
suggest that bare feet give you more sensitive feel of the pedal. They
discourage driving bare feet on the roads although suggest that bare
feet is better than "thongs" or similar foot wear.
The
Learner Drivers Logbook also states that the Driver must wear suitable
foot wear during driving assessments and tests.
We have
been told that some Insurance Companies have their own issues relating
to a driver's foot wear. We suggest you investigate further with your
Insurance company.
Copied from Page 18 of the 8th Edition of Driver's Handbook
It
is important always to wear some form of safe footwear when driving
or riding. Thongs or other types of footwear without an enclosed
heel or heel support strap are not considered safe as they can
interfere with the operation of the brake, clutch (if any), and
accelerator pedals.
-----
Original Message ----- From: "Lee and Donna"
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:36 AM Subject: Give Way Rules
My wife has a lot of trouble with the give way rules and has failed that
part of the test on numerous occasions, which has left her with no confidence to go and sit the test again. Sometimes she will get them all
right when practicing, other times she will mess one or two of them up and
she gets frustrated, which reinforces her lack of confidence in sitting the
real test. On your web site you made mention of a "Clever little exercise, that really does work". I was wondering if you would be so kind
as to share it with us so I can get my wife’s confidence back and give her
the courage to sit the real test.
From: "Drive Smart"
To: "Lee and Donna"
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:29 PM
Subject: Re: Give Way Rules
Hi
Lee,
Thank you for your request for help.
A way to help sort out the give ways is to remember the word S T O R.
Applying the following steps to each give way question can help.
S is for Signs, Lines and Traffic lights. Obey them.
T is for Terminating road (T Junction). The car coming up the "neck" of the
T gives way to vehicles travelling along the "through" road.
O is for Oncoming or Opposite Direction. If you are turning right across
Oncoming Traffic you must give way.
R is for Right. If none of the above apply then you simply give way to the
Right.
A couple of other things to remember: You must give way to pedestrians who are crossing the road you are
turning into. Read up and learn how "modified T junctions" work. Read up on "slip lanes" at traffic lights.
See how things go by applying this to the practice questions.
When a person
immigrating to South Australia from overseas or interstate arrives and they
swap their license to an SA license, do they have to undertake any driving
course to be made aware of the driving laws for this state, or are they
given a booklet that explains these rules?
For example
how would someone who have just moved from overseas to live in SA know that
you must drive 50km when it is not signed?
From: Drive Smart Driving
School
To:
Monique B
Sent:
Friday, December 19, 2008 2:50 PM
Subject:
Re: 50km per hour
Hi Monique,
Thanks for your enquiry.
People converting from an overseas licence are required to at least do a
theory test before getting their SA licence. People from some countries are
also required to do a practical driving test. Interstate drivers can
generally just swap to an SA licence. All these are done through the
local Service SA office. Phone 13 10 84 for licensing enquiries and info or
visitwww.service.sa.gov.au
The 50k in built up areas rule is explained in the Handbook on page 42
"50km/h within a built-up area unless you pass a different signposted speed
limit on that road."
-----
Original Message -----
From:
Donna
Sent:
Monday, December 01, 2008 5:47 PM
Subject:
local traffic only signs
Can u please
explain to me what is considered local traffic only??? like is it
people that live in the street only or people that live in that area like
the next street over or something.. I am just a little confused what it
means.
From:
Drive Smart Driving School
To:
Donna
Sent:
Monday, December 01, 2008 10:05 PM
Subject:
Re: local traffic only signs
Hi Donna,
Thank you for your interesting question. We've looked through the road law
books and not found much yet so, we'll go with what we believe the signs mean.
Our understanding is that there are two main types of traffic in any area,
"local" and "through".
The signs are probably meant to discourage "through" traffic that is going
through the area then continuing to another place or suburb.
Someone who lives in that street or has to pass down that street to get to
the next street would probably be classified as "local" traffic.
Hope that helps, is the best we can do for now but we will keep researching.
-----
Original Message -----
From:
Donna
Sent:
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 12:28 PM
Subject:
Re: local traffic only signs
Thank you for
the reply .. ok have another.. question... local traffic
only sign but also says no left or right turn into street between say 7-9am
and 4-6pm... what happens then, especially if all the entering streets have
the same sign what happens then...Lockleys & Strathmore St
From: Drive Smart Driving School
To: Donna
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 3:38
PM
Subject: Re: local traffic only signs +
time restrictions
Hi Donna,
well, I have done a bit of research for you. Ok, as you know, the whole area
is "Local Traffic Only" - this is to stop/deter people who don't live on
those streets from using them as short cuts from Henley Beach Road to Sir
Donald Bradman Drive and vice versa (hence the traffic speed restriction
devices on Rutland Avenue). Coming off Henley Beach onto Strathmore Ave has
the morning and afternoon time restrictions, not sure about onto Rutland,
think there is time restriction there too - all the restrictions are in
place because of "Peak hour traffic" to save lots of rear end collisions and
extra congestion into and out of the city. It is designed to promote
smoother flowing traffic. If you are a local and wanting to access
Strathmore Ave, you can get access to it at any time via Netley from Rutland
Ave, as there are no time restrictions on this street.
If you have any further questions about this particular form of traffic
control, try contacting the Traffic Department of the City of West Torrens
Council on (08) 8416 6333 and they should be able to clear it up for you.
Information contained
within this website is intended as a guide only and is not
considered to be precise legal interpretations of the road traffic
laws.
For more detailed
information regarding the law, please go to the
Australian Road Rules
link, or to
Also, the Police Traffic
Information Office is available on (08) 8207 6586 for further
information on traffic laws.
It should be noted that references
and claims relating to the "best driver you can be" all refer to the
best driver we can help you become given the available time and
opportunities for training. Once on
their P's, a new driver is totally responsible for their own actions
and choices.
Diagram 3
