Drivers Urged to Follow Roundabout Rules as Misunderstandings Persist
Authorities highlight the importance of giving way at roundabouts to prevent accidents
NSW, Roundabouts, Road Safety, Traffic Rules, Accidents
Sydney: Transport authorities in New South Wales are reminding everyone about a crucial road rule that many drivers seem to overlook. They want to clear up the confusion that you only need to give way to vehicles on your right at roundabouts, which they say is a common misconception.
NSW Road Safety made it clear that the actual rule is to give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout, no matter where they’re coming from. This means if a car is already in the roundabout, you need to let them go first, whether they’re on your left, right, or directly across from you.
While some folks might think this is basic knowledge, many drivers admitted they often forget or ignore it. One driver pointed out that cars entering the roundabout often speed, making it tough for others to join safely, even if they have the right of way.
Another driver chimed in, saying it seems like most people confuse the rule with just zooming in and honking. A third person suggested that speed bumps at roundabouts might help get drivers to pay attention to the rules.
NSW Road Safety emphasized the need to be aware of all vehicles in the roundabout before you enter to avoid accidents. Ignoring these rules can lead to fines and demerit points. For instance, not indicating properly when entering or exiting a roundabout can cost you $194 and two demerit points.
If you fail to give way to cars already in the roundabout, you could face a $349 fine and three demerit points. In 2024, NSW saw 340 road fatalities, which is the same as the previous year. That’s about 4.01 deaths per 100,000 people, a slight drop from 4.08 in 2023.
During the busy Christmas and New Year period, NSW Police conducted over 438,000 breath tests, leading to 720 drink-driving charges. They also issued nearly 10,000 speeding tickets and recorded over 1,700 positive drug tests.
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