Road rule test: Is it against the law to cross an unbroken double line?
You would hope that licenced drivers would be aware of the road rules that are currently in place, but it turns out there is one rule that a surprising number of motorists aren’t aware of, and it has to do with road markings.
A surprising number of motorists are under the impression that they are unable to cross an unbroken double line when driving, are you one of them?
If living in the state of NSW, there are plenty of instances where drivers are permitted to cross unbroken double lines, and one of them is if you're entering or leaving a road.
The idea that it is illegal to cross a continuous double or single line when driving off or on to a road is a myth.
According to the NSW road rules. crossing a dividing line is allowed if entering or leaving a propery or road "by the shortest route."
The rule applies to both double and single unbroken road markings.
Drivers are also allowed to cross any type of dividing line when turning right at an intersection.
Motorists in NSW are also permitted to cross unbroken lines if needing to maintain a safe distance when overtaking a bicycle rider or to avoid obstruction on the road.
If passing a cyclist, drivers must leave a one metre gap in a 60km/h or less speed zone or 1.5 metres when the limit is above 60km/h.
When deciding whether a road obstruction permits someone to cross double lines, drivers must use their own intuition and make sure they have a clear view of oncoming traffic, and if it is “necessary and reasonable in all circumstances” to cross the dividing line and if it is safe to do so.
Speaking to news.com.au, Transport for NSW said that it is critical that all drivers are aware of the road rules, and update themselves regularly if any changes are made.
“It is important that all road users know the rules and abide by them,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
“We will include this rule in the next Road Rules Awareness Week in early 2019.”
Drivers in the Northern Territory and Western Australia are also allowed to turn right across double dividing lines when entering or leaving a property.
It is illegal in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania to cross a double dividing line when entering or leaving a road.
Motorists in Victoria are only permitted to cross double lines to avoid a potential hazard, while those in Queensland are only allowed if overtaking a cyclist.
Tasmanians and South Australians are able to cross the line in both of these situations.
According to MyLicenceSA, a “slower moving vehicle or a vehicle stopped in a line of traffic” is not considered an obstruction.
But if a situation occurs where a driver is faced with a fallen tree, crashed vehicle or broken down car, then it is permitted to cross an unbroken line.
In NSW, illegally crossing an unbroken like could cost you two demerit points and a $263 fine.
Victoria and South Australia have the highest penalties for illegally crossing an unbroken line, with fines of $322 and $446 and both costing three demerit points.
Queensland also has a three-demerit point penalty, along with a $234 fine.
Drivers in Tasmania are subjected to a $203.75 fine and two demerit points while Western Australia has the lowest penalties at $150 but will cost drivers three demerit points.
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