INDICATOR USE

Indicators are a very important safety factor when driving a vehicle and advise other road users that a driver is about to change direction.

Indicators MUST be used BEFORE moving the steering wheel to change lanes, turn a corner, move out from the kerb or side of the road, or steer around any object or obstacle.

Safety conscious drivers watch their mirrors and are always aware of other road users who are nearby or close behind, and give those people adequate warning of any intention to change direction.

SAFETY TIP: Indicators should always be used to warn other road users of a driver’s intentions BEFORE moving the steering wheel..

17. OVERTAKING

Overtaking in a heavy vehicle can be very dangerous if not done with care and common sense.

Firstly a driver should consider whether he or she really needs to, or should attempt to, overtake the vehicle ahead. Depending on the length, weight and power of the vehicle being driven, together with the speed, traffic volume and road conditions, it may be very unwise to attempt an overtaking manoeuvre.

It may be dangerous to try and overtake a slower vehicle if:

• the road is narrow;

• the road surface is not in good condition;

• the weather conditions are not good eg it is raining;

• the vehicle ahead is not travelling much slower than the driver’s vehicle;

• the driver’s vehicle is carrying a heavy, long, wide, high, bulky or unstable load;

• the driver’s vehicle is carrying hazardous material;

• there is heavy traffic travelling in either direction;

• the driver’s vehicle is not very powerful;

• the vehicle ahead is carrying a wide load;

• the driver intends to turn off or stop in the next short period or distance;

• the road markings do not permit the driver to do so;

• the driver is not going to get past quickly and may obstruct other traffic, ie using the right lane of a road with 2 lanes travelling in the driver’s direction.

Drivers finding themselves unable to pass quickly should be prepared to drop back behind the other vehicle and wait for a better chance.

When a driver has decided to overtake, he or she will need to thoroughly check their mirrors for overtaking traffic. If clear, the driver should move out just enough to see the road ahead past the vehicle to be overtaken. If the road is clear and unobstructed for about 500 metres (depending on the vehicle weight, power and speed); switch on the indicators;

recheck the mirrors and then blind spots; proceed to pull out and overtake.

When the driver can see that he or she is fully past and well clear of the overtaken vehicle, the driver should then indicate left and check the left hand mirror before moving back into the left lane. Some overtaken drivers may give a flash from their headlights to advise that it is clear to move back to the left lane. When fully back into the original lane, the driver should recheck both mirrors immediately, to ensure that the position within the lane is correct and safe.

18. PARKING

Heavy vehicles within the ACT are permitted the same parking arrangements as for cars and motorbikes except in residential areas. Drivers of heavy vehicles should be considerate of other road users and park legally and sensibly, so as not to cause an obstruction or inconvenience to others.

Tips for Parking:

• drivers should look for any signs and read and comply with their directions before leaving their vehicle;

• drivers should make sure that their vehicle is not going to cause an obstruction or unreasonable inconvenience to any other road users;

• if parking at night in a narrow street or area with little or no street lighting, drivers should ensure their vehicle will be visible to other road users by leaving the parking lights switched on;

• drivers using loading zones should do so only as indicated by the signs;

• heavy vehicle drivers should never park in Taxi Ranks, Bus Stops (if not a bus), or areas signposted for specific users;

• drivers should always apply the park brake before leaving their vehicle.

When parking a vehicle, a driver should ensure that it is parallel to the kerb, and that it complies with parking regulations. For example, the tyres should be about 300mm from the kerb and the maximum distance from the kerb for the tyres should be no more than 450mm.

These distances are of course dependent on the width of the body or loading tray of the vehicle. NO part of the vehicle or load should project over the kerbing or footpath.

The rules relating to parking are set out in the Australian Road Rules 2008 and the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Regulation 2000.

The road transport legislation provides that the registered operator is responsible for parking offences incurred in relation to that motor vehicle.

However, if the registered operator is not the actual offender, liability will be waived if:

• the registered operator supplies a Statutory Declaration to state the name and address of the person driving at the time of the offence;

• the registered operator supplies documented proof that at the time of the alleged offence, the vehicle was stolen or illegally taken or used.

NOTE: If the vehicle is sold or transferred to a new party, the registration must also be changed to record the new owner. If this is not done, parking infringement liability remains with the registered operator.

FAILURE TO PAY THE PENALTY WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD