Each time you get behind the wheel, you need to abide by hundreds of road rules to keep yourself and other road users safe. Many of the rules are obvious – stick to the speed limit and indicate when changing lanes to name a couple – but there are other, lesser-known laws.
Words: Andrew Rasch
Here are three road rules questions you may have pondered. The answers may surprise you or be a good refresher before you head out on the road.
1. CAN I BE FINED FOR RUNNING A YELLOW LIGHT?
We all know running a red light is a big no-no, and there are hefty fines for anyone who does. But did you know you can also be fined with failing to stop at an intersection if you run a yellow light or arrow, and the penalty is the same as driving through a red?
Between 2018 and 2022 police detected 2062 offences from drivers who ran a yellow light. The current penalty is a $540 fine, a $99 Victims of Crimes Levy and three demerit points.
A yellow light is a signal that tells drivers to stop if it’s safe to do so, as explained below by the South Australian Driver’s Handbook.
“A yellow indicates that the lights are about to change to red. You must not enter the intersection unless you are so close to the stop line that you are unable to stop safely without entering the intersection or risking a rear-end crash with vehicles following you.”
You might be wondering if all yellow lights are created equal. A road’s speed limit will determine how long a traffic light will stay yellow. It can range from three seconds on a 40km/h road, to five-and-a-half seconds on a road with a 90km/h speed limit. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’re driving, it’s plenty of time for vehicles to clear the intersection.
2. IS IT LEGAL TO DRIVE YOUR CAR WITH ONE HAND?
While it isn’t technically illegal to drive with only one hand on the wheel, it isn’t recommended. There are times when you might have to take a hand off the wheel, for example, if you need to adjust the air-conditioning or change gears when driving a car with manual transmission.
But as soon as that task is done, you should return your hand to the steering wheel. Both hands should remain on the wheel to ensure you have full control especially in an emergency.
Driving with one hand can also mean you’re driving distracted. If you’re fiddling with the radio trying to find a particular station, or drinking your morning cup of coffee, then your full attention isn’t on the road.
If you’re driving one-handed and it looks like you don’t have proper control of your vehicle, police could fine you $215 plus a $99 Victims of Crime Levy.
Most Australian states have a similar rule, so no matter where you are, it’s best to keep both hands on the wheel.
Apart from not having proper control of your vehicle, driving one-handed can also be dangerous for another reason.
3. IS IT LEGAL TO DRIVE ON A RAISED MEDIAN STRIP?
While it can be frustrating when traffic is queued at an intersection blocking your path into the right-turn lane, don’t be tempted to drive ahead and mount the raised median strip to get around lined-up vehicles.
It’s common to see impatient motorists do this manoeuvre so they don’t miss the right-turn arrow but it can land you in hot water and out of pocket.
Whether you think driving on a raised median strip is rude, irresponsible or creative, the fact is it’s against the law. The Australian Road Rules say you must drive to the left of a median strip unless you’re entering or leaving a parking area, or you’re required to drive to the right of the median strip by a keep-right sign.
In other words, if you’re stuck behind traffic and can’t access the right-turn lane, wait until the traffic ahead starts to clear. If you’re caught driving on the raised median strip, you could be fined $375, plus a $99 Victims of Crime levy, and you’ll incur three demerit points.
Do you have a road rules question?
Contact RAA’s road rules team by emailing motoringroadrules@raa.com.au or call 8202 4570.
IMAGES: Getty; RAA/Caroline Rex.
