5 obscure road rules you might not know
When driving, most motorists know straightforward rules like indicating when turning and that you can’t drive through a red traffic light. But, what about the more obscure road rules?
Here are five rules that might not spring to mind when you’re behind the wheel.
1. How far is too far?
Have you ever driven past a car park and wondered if you can reverse back to it, or considered how far you can legally drive backwards?
Well, there isn’t a set rule on how far you can reverse. Don’t get any ideas that you can reverse 100m down the road though. In South Australia, reversing a vehicle is generally allowed if it can be done safely, but you shouldn’t drive backwards further than is reasonable in the circumstances.
Scenarios, like reversing down a blocked street to turn around in the nearest driveway, might be considered justifiable. However, if you’re on a busy road and reversing because you missed the perfect parking spot, it may be deemed unnecessary and draw the attention of police.
If you reverse when unable to do so safely, you risk a $514 fine, while reversing further than is reasonable could see you receive a $310 fine. On top of that, you’ll need to pay a $102 Victims of Crime Levy for both offences.
2. Long vehicles
You’ve probably seen the ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ signs on the back of trucks and other long vehicles, but have you seen DIY versions on the back of caravans?
Caravan and motorhome drivers can install ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ signs on their rigs. To install the sign, the combined length of the towing vehicle and caravan must be 7.5m or greater. The signs should contain black letters on a yellow background measuring 300mm by100mm and be positioned no more than 500mm from the edge of the left-hand side rear of the caravan and no higher than 2000mm from the ground. These signs can be obtained from any caravan dealership
The vehicle with the sign attached can straddle or momentarily occupy an adjacent lane when making a turn. Following vehicles are required to give way.
3. Slow drivers beware
Driving a bit slower than the vehicles around you is fine, but according to the Australian Road Rules, a driver must not “unreasonably obstruct the path of another driver or a pedestrian”. For example, driving 20km/h in an 80km/h zone – well below the speed limit – without a suitable reason could land you in trouble with police.
4. Blocking Postman Pat
There might be a convenient space for you to park next a post box, but you could be risking a fine. It’s illegal to park within 3m of a post box unless you’re dropping off, or picking up, passengers or mail.
If you leave your car parked on a road near a public post box, you risk a $114 fine, plus a $102 Victims of Crime Levy.
5. For sale
In South Australia, placing a ‘for sale’ sign on your car is generally okay, but parking the car on a public road or council property could make things a little more complicated.
Putting an unapproved ‘for sale’ sign in the window of a car parked on a public road is an offence in all Australian states. Why? Authorities believe it can pose a distraction to other road users.
In South Australia motorists selling their car on the side of the road can apply to council for a permit, but without one, they risk a $100 fine.
In other states the fines are much higher for putting an unapproved ‘for sale’ sign on your car. In New South Wales alone, you could receive fines ranging from $1500 to $2200 for the offence.