How well do you think you know Western Australian road rules? Do you have the extra cash to fork out $100 for an incorrect U-turn fine? For many of us it has been years since we sat a practical driving test or refreshed on the current road rules. Driving the same routes every day, we get lazy, follow other drivers’ conduct or forget little road rules that can make a big difference.
To combat complacency, a new interactive website has been launched by the Road Safety Commission to encourage drivers to brush up on their road rules and stay safe this holiday period. In 2015 Western Australia recorded its worst road toll in four years with 184 people killed and another 300 seriously injured. Police say that 99 per cent of fatal and serious crashes could have been avoided is people had obeyed the road rules. The new interactive website aims to change and progress Western Australian driver knowledge to keep people safe.
Acting Road Safety Commissioner Kim Papalia says the department is engaging with the public to spread road safety measures in new and innovative ways:
“The website will act as an educational aid for road users, explaining some of the States most asked about road rules. It will also assist individuals to change the way they think and act on the roads to help reduce the burden of serious road traumas in WA.”
If the thought of taking a test makes you nervous, don’t stress! The new tool is interactive and serves an educational purpose only. The interactive website covers twelve topics based on the most asked questions the Road Safety Commissioner receives. Some topics include: merging, mobile phones and U-turns. A few minutes out of your day will keep you safe, save you fines and demerit points as police crackdown on poor driving.
- Did you know that the failure to give way to an emergency vehicle can result ina $400.00 fine and 4 demerit points?
- Here’s one that we’re almost all guilty of at some point- failing to keep left on a multi-lane road where the speed limit is 90km or more- $50.00 fine and 2 demerit points.
- Another common one- using a mobile phone- or even touching it- whilst driving- $400.00 fine and 3 demerit points.
- Finally- another one that many road users get wrong is how to properly indicate when using a roundabout- this can result in a $100.00 fine and 2 demerit points.
The interactive website covers twelve topics based on the most asked questions the Road Safety Commissioner receives.
The website is available at www.roadrules.rsc.wa.gov.au
Don’t forget that most long weekends and public holidays will, for a period of time, have double demerit points.
The loss of a drivers licence due to demerit points is an issue that we are dealing with more often on behalf of our clients.
If you or someone you know finds yourself in this position please don’t hesitate to consult us for some advice about your options.
About the authors:
This article has been authored by Haley Graydon, law clerk and Jacqueline Brown, director at Lynn & Brown Lawyers. Jacqui has over 20 years’ experience in legal practice and practices in family law, mediation and estate planning. Jacqui is also a Nationally Accredited Mediator and a Notary Public. Haley is currently in her final year of study at UWA. The areas of law that Haley has a keen interest in is family law and estates.
