Chapter 27: DRIVING IN AUSTRALIA

This page is for the purpose of assisting overseas visitors to Australia who plan to drive in this country and wish to familiarize themselves with Australian Road Signs and conditions. DRIVING IN AUSTRALIA: FACTS & FIGURES Average age of Australian cars is 10 years 9.9 million tyres consumed per annum 1,000,000 new vehicles sold each year Australia has more than 800,000 km of roads, of which 323,020 km are sealed with bitumen or concrete and 313,156 km and "improved surfaces" usually of gravel, whilst the remainder are formed or cleared. That means more than 60% of Australia's roads are gravel, sand or dirt. REGULATORY SIGNS Shown below are some of the more common Australian REGULATORY SIGNS which have road laws Shown below are some of the more common Australian REGULATORY SIGNS which have road laws applicable to them and if not obeyed can result in monetary fines and demerit points removed from your drivers licence. GIVE WAY SIGN The driver of a vehicle approaching a GIVE WAY sign must slow or stop and remain stationary to give way to all other traffic which has entered or is approaching the intersection (this includes giving way to pedestrians). STOP SIGN A STOP sign is essentially a GIVE WAY sign at which you must stop. Stopping at the point nearest to but before reaching the stop line or if no stop line is present, before entering the intersection. The driver must give way to all traffic which has entered or is approaching the intersection. SPEED LIMIT SIGN This sign designates the maximum speed limit under good driving conditions for that section of road. Heavy penalties apply for exceeding the speed limit. Speed limits are typically 60, 80 or 100 km/hr (110 km/hr in some areas). END SPEED RESTRICTION SIGN This sign means that a previous lower speed limit has ended but maximum speed (100 km/hr) is not advisable. This sign does not mean there is no speed limit. NO OVERTAKING OR PASSING SIGN This sign designates a section of road where your vehicle is not to be abreast of another vehicle regardless of its direction of travel. WARNING SIGNS Shown below are some of the more common Australian WARNING SIGNS (Yellow in colour) that drivers may encounter during this event. SLIPPERY ROAD TIP: Be especially cautious in wet weather, road surface has reduced co-efficient of friction. START DIVIDED ROAD TIP: Oncoming traffic is separated usually providing a safer opportunity to overtake. BEWARE KANGAROOS CROSS HERE TIP: Be cautious and on the lookout for kangaroos. Especially near dusk and during night. END DIVIDED ROAD TIP: Separation of oncoming traffic ends. The other lane will have approaching traffic in it. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AHEAD TIP: Give way to all pedestrians on and waiting to cross at designated crossing. STEEP DECLINE AHEAD TIP: Trucks and other large vehicles will be moving very slowly down hill. Be patient. In your car also select a lower gear (in both manual or auto) to prevent riding the brakes. If you need to brake, brake firmly then come off brakes allowing them to cool. ROAD NARROWS TIP: Lane width is reduced, keep lane position as near as practical to left side of road. ROUNDABOUT AHEAD TIP: Give way to traffic already on roundabout and only go in a clockwise direction. RAILWAY CROSSING AHEAD TIP: Look for trains, stop and give-way to trains approaching, obey any other signs/signals. ONE LANE BRIDGE AHEAD TIP: Bridge width permits traffic to travel in one direction only at any time. Obey other signs. NARROW BRIDGE AHEAD TIP: Bridge is narrower than approaching road, give-way if wide vehicle is also approaching bridge. SHARP TURN AHEAD TIP: Sign shows direction of approaching corner, with recommended advisory safe speed to negotiate corner. Look through corner, be in the right gear and the right speed before making turn. The lower the advised speed the tighter the turn. CROSS ROAD INTERSECTION TIP: Look for approaching vehicles, obey give-way rules and other signs. CONTROLLED CROSS ROAD INTERSECTION TIP: Next cross road will be controlled by stop or give-way signs on side roads. WINDING ROAD TIP: Drive to the conditions, set car up in right gear and at right speed before corners. Scan the road ahead. OTHER SIGNS Examples of other important road signs are shown below. LOOSE SURFACE SIGN This sign denotes a loose road surface (usually from recent roadworks) that may result in stones being kicked up from approaching vehicles. REDUCE SPEED WARNING SIGN This sign denotes an immediate hazard requiring action from approaching vehicles. SLOW as soon as possible. SLOW VEHICLES USE LEFT LANE SIGN This sign is used at the beginning of a long or steep where a slow moving vehicle may delay other vehicles. All drivers of heavy (or slow) vehicles and those not intending to overtake should move into the left lane. It is an offence in the road law, to travel unnecessarily in the right hand lane of any multi-lane road in 90 km/hr zones or higher. You are only permitted to drive in the right lane, when overtaking, negotiating a hazard in the left lane, when the traffic is congested or prior to turning right. LANE STATUS SIGN This sign denotes that the lane indicated by the T-bar (in this case left lane) is about to end, vehicles in that lane should merge into open lanes as soon as possible. ROADWORKS SIGN This sign denotes that roadworks are ahead. Drive with caution even if work is not underway. Road conditions may suddenly change. At roadworks sites in remote areas, temporary traffic lights may be set up. You are required to stop on a red signal and wait for a green signal before moving off. When driving through roadworks sites obey speed limits and the instructions of road workers.

(Written by Joel Neilsen, Managing Director, Safe Drive Training)