Discovering Australia

Driving Rules and Regulations Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road and use the metric system of distances and speeds. Most vehicles have the steering wheel on their right side. Traffic rules in Australia may vary from state to state. Before driving, familiarize yourself with the road traffic regulations of each state. Below there is a brief summary of some common Australian traffic rules to remember. + Forbidden use a handheld mobile phone when driving + It is illegal to drive without carrying your license on you + Pedestrians have the right of way + It is illegal to make a left turn on a red traffic signal unless there is a sign explicitly permitting it + In most states it is illegal to do a U-turn at a traffic signal, unless there is a sign explicitly permitting it + Traffic goes clockwise around a roundabout + Unnecessarily beeping your horn is illegal — don’t beep your horn unless you're in a situation where you need to warn another driver + Remember to stay on the left side after you have turned left or right + The right lane should only be used for passing + In the event of an accident involving injury or death, the police must be contacted; the Australian emergency number is 000 There are two “default” speed limits in Australia: + Residential and city speed limits are typically between 50 and 60 kilometers per hour (31 to 35 miles per hour) + Country roads and highways have speed limits between 100 and 110 km/hour (62 to 68 mph) Speeding can result in heavy fines, penalty points, and even the consequential loss of your Australian license. Some roads do not have visible speed limit signs, but speed limits still apply. Australian laws allow police officers to stop any driver and perform a random breath test without reason. The legal blood alcohol limit in all states and territories is 0.05% when driving. Drunk driving will attract heavy penalties and the drivers will lose their license on the spot. Seat Belts All vehicles in Australia are required to have functioning seat belts for all persons in the car, including those in the back seat. All drivers and passengers in the car must also wear seatbelts. The driver should ensure that all passengers are buckled, otherwise penalties apply to the driver of the vehicle, and include demerit points which may lead to a license suspension. Children under age 7 must be in a child restraint appropriate for the child’s size and weight.

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Discovering Australia