The dangerous road rule Aussie drivers can’t be fined for
Knowing Australian road rules is paramount to motorists’ safety, especially on busy roundabouts.
While there are hefty fines for navigating roundabouts incorrectly, many are unaware that it is legal to change lanes when driving around them.
“Drivers may change lanes in a roundabout if they wish,” reads the New South Wales handbook on misunderstood road rules.
“The usual road rules for changing lanes apply. Drivers must use their indicator and give way to any vehicle in the lane they are entering.”
General manager of the Australian Driver Trainer Association, Mick Humphries, said that although it is legal to change lanes in a roundabout, the decision comes with risks.
“You'll need to be very aware of everything because your car is on an angle and usual blind spots might not necessarily be the same,” he told Yahoo7 News.
“So your awareness needs to be increased... Lane changes are always a danger due to blind spots.
“Crashes come about because drivers will do a mirror check but fail to look over their shoulder.”
Another popular misconception about roundabouts is who has the right of way.
While many believe you must stop for cars approaching from the right, transport authorities in every state and territory say drivers must slow down or stop to give way to vehicles already in the roundabout.
“There's a misconception that you're meant to wait for people on your right as they're approaching, which in actual fact isn't the case,” NMRA's Peter Khoury told Daily Mail Australia.
“You just need to give way to people who are already on the roundabout. The rule is, once another car is on the roundabout, you need to allow that person to pass.”
This rule is particularly important in smaller roundabouts when drivers must wait for vehicles that have entered to the left or the opposite side.
Do you think drivers should be allowed to change lanes in a roundabout? Or do you think it's too dangerous? Share your thoughts in the comments below.