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Do you need to indicate if you’re in a turn-only lane?

Picture this: you’re approaching a two-lane T-junction with traffic lights.

One lane is clearly marked with a left arrow and the other a right arrow. You’re planning to turn right.

Do you need to indicate when turning from the marked right-turn lane?

Below you’ll find three scenarios. See if you know when you need to indicate.

The intersections

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1. Turning right from Brighton Road onto Anzac Highway

This example shows a single lane turning right from Brighton Road onto Anzac Highway. This turning lane and unbroken white line marking extends for a long distance, and it often takes drivers more than one traffic-light sequence before they can make the turn. The blue car is in the right turning lane onto Anzac Highway.

Now it’s reached the intersection, does the blue car still need to indicate to turn right onto Anzac Highway?*

2. Turning left or right from the Gouger Street T-junction onto West Terrace

In this example, the only options are to turn left or right from Gouger Street onto West Terrace from one of these three lanes, clearly marked with arrows.

Which of these three cars needs to indicate?*

3. Veering left to continue along Morphett Road

The Diagonal and Morphett Road intersection, upgraded in 2019 to remove the level crossing, can still sometimes cause a bit of confusion amongst turning drivers.

A blue car is travelling south on Morphett Road and comes to a stop at the traffic lights, ready to continue along Morphett Road after the intersection.

As the car is continuing along Morphett Road and turning left is the only option, does the driver need to indicate?*

4. Turning right from Winns Road onto Main Road

A green car is on Winns Road in Coromandel Valley and approaches the intersection with Main Road. Drivers only have the option of turning right onto Main Road – left turns aren’t allowed.

Despite being unable to turn left, does the green car need to indicate to turn right?*

Why do drivers need to indicate in turn-only lanes?

While it may seem obvious which direction you’re heading, other drivers and road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, can’t always see the arrow markings on the road underneath your vehicle or signage you may have passed on the way.

To ensure the safety of all road users when turning at an intersection, you must indicate left or right for long enough to give sufficient warning to other road users.

What is a change of direction?

Despite no other turning options available in the above scenarios, because the driver is changing direction, indicating is required. The Australian Road Rules helpfully states that “A driver changes direction if the driver changes direction to the left or the driver changes direction to the right”.

The rules go on to clarify that turning left or right, changing lanes, making a U-turn, and pulling over to the side of the road are all examples of “changing direction”.

While there may be some instances where it doesn’t make a lot of difference if you indicate or not, having a blanket rule is less complicated than trying to define a handful of very specific exemptions.

So, remember, when it comes to indicating, there’s no cutting corners – even from a turn-only lane. Just flick your indicator on and everyone will be feeling fine.

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