Driving in Australia & Road Rules

Some basic road rules when travelling in Australia:

• Drivers must always keep to the left hand side of the road.
• Pedestrians should always look right first before crossing a road.
• Seat belts and child restraints must be worn by all vehicle occupants.
• Always carry a copy of your driver’s license in English.
• Drive no faster than the speed limit signs allow; and slower in rain or fog.
• Alcohol and driving don’t mix. For experienced drivers the blood alcohol level is 0.05. Provisional drivers and young drivers may not have any alcohol before driving.
• Fatigue causes many crashes in Australia. When driving long distances, stop and rest every 2 hours.
• All traffic must proceed in a clockwise direction in a roundabout. A vehicle already on a roundabout has right of way over any vehicles entering.
• Always overtake to the right. Be sure you can see enough of the road to complete overtaking and move back to your side of the road. Never overtake on corners, blind rises or on double white lines. When overtaking heavy vehicles in wet weather, beware of wind turbulence and wheel spray causing a reduction in visibility. Allow plenty of space behind you when pulling back in after passing a truck. Trucks can’t stop as quickly as cars, especially when carrying heavy loads.

• Australia is an enormous country with driving conditions that can differ greatly from other countries. When calculating travelling time it is important to take into consideration the need to reduce speed through the many towns and cities. You will also need to consider adverse road and weather conditions.
• Australia is lucky to have many native animals living in their natural habitats. Enjoy them, but remember they can be a hazard on country roads. Although it is a natural instinct to swerve to avoid an animal, keep your vehicle on the same line, slow down, and stop if possible. Remember there may be an oncoming vehicle. It is preferable to cause minor damage to your car by colliding with an animal, rather than with another vehicle or immovable object.
• Remember that campervans are double the height and length of sedan vehicles. Keep an eye out for height indicator signs, cantilever awnings, overhanging tree branches and be careful when reversing near fixed objects (walls etc.).
• Remember the four basic survival rules if you are in an accident in a remote area:

1. Do not leave your vehicle.
2. Stay in the shade.
3. Conserve water.
4. Prepare effective signals.