The road rule no one is getting right and it could cost you hundreds
There is a road rule nobody seems to get right and it could cost drivers hundreds of dollars in fines.
Authorities are breaking down misconceptions when it comes to roundabout rules, with a number of drivers under the impression they have to give way to people entering a roundabout on the right.
However, drivers are actually meant to give way to those already on the roundabout.
“There seems to be a bit of a misconception that when you approach the roundabout you look to the right to see if another vehicle is approaching the roundabout and wait,” NRMA’s Peter Khoury told Yahoo7.
“You actually give way to vehicles that are already on the roundabout to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.”
In fact, the rule is that motorists need to give way to cars already driving through the roundabout coming from all directions.
Mr Khoury also said that if you see someone approaching the roundabout from the right, you don’t have to stop and wait for them unless they are already in the roundabout.
There is no need to wait for people who are still 20 or 30 metres away, as many of us seem to.
Drivers in NSW who don’t give way to cars on roundabouts can be slapped with a $330 fine and lose three demerit points.
It costs drivers $419 and three demerit points in SA and $159 in Victoria.
Queenslanders will get fined $378 and also lose three demerit points.
In WA, those who don’t follow the rule will lose three demerit points and will have to pay $150.
The fine costs Tasmanians $159 and three demerit points.
Mr Khoury said historically there were misconceptions and confusion around road rules on roundabouts.
He said people were also unsure whether they should indicate when entering and exiting a roundabout.
Drivers planning to exit the roundabout to the left or right must indicate when entering the roundabout and again when exiting.
Those driving straight do not have to indicate when entering the roundabout but need to indicate when exiting.
“Any misconceptions we need to clear up because there’s a lot of traffic at these locations,” Mr Khoury said.
