Things every road user needs to know - Road Safety

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Everyone has the right to use our roads. Everyone has the right to be safe. But with this comes responsibilities to share the road with others, as well as obeying the road rules.

Every 22 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on Australia’s roads. Recently there have been around 1700 road deaths and more than 22 000 serious injuries in Australia each year.

There are things all road users can do to increase their safety. Different road users have different perspectives – have you tried seeing the road from the point of view of a heavy vehicle driver, motorist, rider and pedestrian?

Aggressive driving has been with us since the very first motor vehicles, around 1900, but there are ways of dealing with it which can increase your safety.

Aggressive driving
Aggressive driving may be due to increasing traffic congestion, but is often likely to be a reaction to other stresses, such as work or family pressures.

The term ‘road rage’ is used to describe a range of behaviour from verbal abuse, rude gestures and horn use to more dangerous tailgating, lane changing and violence.

Losing your temper while driving or riding affects your judgment and reduces your driving ability. Your first priority is to stay safe and help those around you stay safe.

What is the best way to deal with aggressive drivers?

It is usually best to avoid eye contact and keep as much distance as possible between you and the aggressive driver.
If the other driver is tailgating you, pull over in a safe space and allow them to pass.
Keep all doors and windows locked and do not get out of your car.
If they continue to tailgate or threaten you, drive to a police station.

What does everyone need to know to be safe around heavy vehicles?

When braking, the distance that heavy vehicles (including buses) travel is much greater, due to their additional weight.
If a heavy or long vehicle has a “Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle” sign on it, it is allowed to use both lanes if necessary to turn left or right, if it is within 50 metres of the intersection.
A driver of a car travelling at 110 km/h on a two-way road will need about two kilometres of clear road ahead to safely overtake a long vehicle that is travelling at 100 km/h.

What do motorists need to remember about cyclists and pedestrians?

Look for and give way to pedestrians when turning at any intersection or crossing and when entering or leaving a road.
It is legal for cyclists to ride two abreast. Be patient as you approach and overtake only when it is safe for you and the cyclists.
Give cyclists plenty of room. One metre is the minimum safe overtaking space between cars and bicycles.
Look for cyclists before opening car doors and be especially sure to check in the blind spots.
Take particular care on multi-lane roads where traffic can conceal your view of approaching riders or walkers.

What do cyclists need to remember about other road users?

You must obey all the road rules, just like motorists – that means obeying stop signs and traffic lights, riding on the left and giving way to pedestrians on crossings.
Ride within a bike lane if one is provided.
Use hand signals before turning or changing lanes to let pedestrians and drivers know what you want to do.
At the end of a bike lane, watch for other vehicles when merging with traffic.
Use your bell or warning device to let pedestrians know you are approaching (but remember that pedestrians might not hear you if they have a hearing disability).
Riding two abreast is legal – but other road users will appreciate you giving them room to overtake safely.

What do pedestrians need to remember about other road users?

Watch for cars and bikes and remember that bikes can approach very quietly, so do not rely on your hearing alone.
Do not walk in bike lanes if a footpath is provided.
If there is no footpath, you may walk in a bike lane but in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic, so you are facing the cyclists.
If you stand in a bike lane to cross the road, you must move out of the way for cyclists.
Use pedestrian crossings and lights at intersections to cross busy roads.

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