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NSW Road Rules Change from 1 JulyGreat Lakes road users are being urged to familiarise themselves with changes to NSW road rules which take effect from 1 July 2008. Great Lakes Council’s Road Safety Officer Karen Lawless is encouraging all motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and anybody who uses a wheeled recreational device including rollerblades, roller skates, skateboards, scooters or similar wheeled devices to read up and learn the changes. “Not only have changes been made to existing rules, some rules now attract fines and some will also attract demerit points penalties” said Karen Lawless, “the changes are briefly described below, but road users are encouraged to seek out a more comprehensive understanding of the rules through contacting the Roads and Traffic Authority”. Some intersections with traffic lights will now include a “bicycle storage area”, a painted area on the road before the stop line to allow cyclists to wait at the lights in safety. There a number of new rules governing driver and cyclist responsibilities at bicycle storage areas. One example is that when traffic lights or arrows are red, no part of a motor vehicle may enter the bicycle storage area. Cyclists are now required to use bicycle hook turn storage areas to turn at any intersection, using a hook turn, when such storage areas are provided. Drivers are now prohibited from blocking any children’s crossing, marked foot crossing or pedestrian crossing where the road is blocked. It is also now mandatory for drivers to use slip lanes when they are provided to turn left. Long vehicles which comply with certain requirements, including displaying a “do not overtake turning vehicle” sign, are now permitted to use either or both lanes in a roundabout to enter and exit. Other drivers must give way to these long vehicles if they are in accordance with this rule. There are new regulations governing driving on, across or outside continuous white edge lines, and restricting travel on painted islands. It is illegal to drive in an arrester bed (provided for use by heavy vehicles in emergencies) except in case of emergencies. Drivers must not drive with a person or animal in the driver’s lap. Motorcyclists cannot ride with an animal on the fuel tank. Children under 8 years of age are now only allowed to ride on a motorcycle if they are safely seated in a sidecar and wearing an approved helmet. Mobility Parking permit holders are now allowed to set down and pick up passengers in a no parking zone for up to 5 minutes (previously 2 minutes). “There are also several new rules regarding wheeled recreational devices” said Karen Lawless. For example, wheeled recreational devices cannot be used where expressly prohibited by signs, or on a road with a dividing line or median strip or on a road where the speed limit is greater than 50kph. A person must not travel in or on a wheeled recreational device that is being towed by a vehicle. A person travelling in or on a wheeled recreational device must not hold onto a moving vehicle or travel within two metres behind a moving vehicle. Karen Lawless says the changes can be viewed by visiting the RTA website www.rta.nsw.gov.au. “By visiting the RTA website, motorists can view the changes in more detail and also examine diagrams that may assist road users in understanding the changes in the rules”. END Contact details |
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© 2008 Great Lakes Council |
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