The Nanny state gets more nannified..

[mikmak]

Victoria cops another armful of new road rules....

Originally Posted by Caradvice.com.au

New road laws for Victoria from November


Vicroads has announced a raft of new road laws aimed at making Victorian roads safer, all to be effective from November 9 this year.

The changes apply to mobile phone & satellite navigation use, child restraints, motorcycle pillion passengers, U-turns and overtaking, seatbelts, cyclists, wheeled recreation devices, driving with trams and parking.

Mobile Phones & Visual Display Units:

Using a mobile phone to make or receive a phone call while driving is prohibited except if the phone is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle, or can be operated by the driver without touching any part of the phone.

All other functions, including video calls, text and email, are prohibited.

Holding the phone, whether you are engaged in a phone call or not, is also prohibited. Holding includes resting the mobile on the driver’s lap. Learner and P1 drivers, are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

A satellite navigation device must not be used if it is not an integrated part of the vehicle or is not secured in a commercially designed holder that is fixed to the vehicle.

Television receivers or visual display units must not be used when the car is mobile if any part of the screen is visible to the driver or is likely to distract another driver.

For another 5 million rules about trams, crossing lines, breathing, and thinking for your self, refer to the LINK

[mikmak]

So does this mean the end of roof mounted DVD screens? How do you define whether or not another driver is distracted by your DVD player? What ever happened to people keeping their eyes on the road? Keep your eye out for the next ban on hot chicks in convertibles with low cut tops

[chinamonty]

Last time I looked a car was not a cinema. Unfortunately good technology has been taken a bit far. I have no problem with DVDs for people in the back seat nor do I for voice satnavs and i have made both but when they interfere with driving they have gone too far. I even now ask taxi drivers to remove their remote satnavs form in front of their faces as I know my way around and will direct them if they need it -after all it is my safety as well as theirs and I am paying for the privilege. I think the mobile thing has gone a bit far. If all you have t do is press a button then that is no more a distraction than listening to a compulsory traffic advisory that you get in tunnels etc. Still htey don't have to enforce the rules rigidly so if people play the game then I expect the police to - yes I know I am misguided.

[Koasterking]

LMAO! Too funny! I'm laughing because these rules are outrageous. And I thought the US was out to get every nickel and dime from us through ridiculous traffic laws.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by chinamonty

Last time I looked a car was not a cinema. Unfortunately good technology has been taken a bit far.

.........

I do agree but some of the rules are so poorly devised, they double talk themselves out of all practicality:

Originally Posted by Caradvice.com.au

When sharing the road with trams, a driver must stop before passing the rear of a stopped tram at a tram stop. Once the tram doors are closed and pedestrians have crossed between the tram and kerb, a driver may then proceed at no more than 10 km/h past the tram.

Okay, fair enough.

Originally Posted by Caradvice.com.au

Unless there is a sign which permits parking, a driver must not stop or park within 20 metres of a tram stop.

Oh okay, wait....what?

Maybe the Vicroads website has more clarity...

Originally Posted by Vicroads

Tram lanes
Tram lanes are identified by a solid yellow line and overhead signage that shows an image of a tram and the word ‘LANE’ (see below).



It is important to note that some tram lanes operate full-time, while others are part-time.

Part-time tram lanes have the same sign as a full-time tram lane, but the sign also shows the days and times that it functions as a tram lane.

* A driver may drive in a tram lane for up to 50 metres to enter or leave the road or to avoid an obstruction.

Okay, so some Tram Lanes have the times on them to tell you when they are operating. Otherwise, assume they are always running.

Originally Posted by Vicroads

Other new rules: Tramways
Tramways will be introduced in Victoria.


A tramway is a part of a road that is identified by overhead signage that shows an image of a tram and the word ‘ONLY’ (see above) and is marked along the left side of the road by two continuous yellow lines or raised dividing strips.



* A driver is not allowed to drive in a tramway.

Tramways will ensure that trams can keep moving. This will ultimately help to improve the travel time and reliability of public transport.

So a tourist in Melbourne has to keep an eye on the road, watch for trams, stop when trams stop at tram stops, without stopping within 20m, as well as tell the difference between 3 different signs that are all the same colour, taking note of daily operating times where appropriate, oh and don't forget teh road markings in case you get confused:

Originally Posted by Vicroads

Driving with trams
When driving near trams it is important to look for the overhead tram signs and yellow road line marking. These work together to advise where vehicles are permitted to drive.

These line markings indicate the following:

* broken yellow lines: broken yellow lines beside tram tracks mean you may drive on the tram tracks, but you must not delay a tram
* single continuous yellow line: A driver may drive in a tram lane for up to 50 metres in order to enter or leave the road or to avoid an obstruction.
* two continuous yellow lines: Indicates a tramway. A driver is not allowed to drive in a tramway.
* raised dividing strips: Indicate a tram lane or tramway depending on the overhead signage. A driver is not allowed to drive over a raised dividing strip.

^^^Oh, so even if you work out that it is a tram lane, not a tramway, whilst keeping your eyes on the road, you still can't enter it if it has raised dividing strips. Phew, that was easy......do hook turns still turn right?

VICROADS

[mikmak]

Maybe I'll just ride my scooter

Originally Posted by Vicroads

Scooters, skateboards and roller blades are called Wheeled Recreational Devices in the road rules.

A scooter has two or more wheels and a footboard supported by the wheels. It is steered by handlebars, designed to be used by one person and propelled by any one or more of the following: gravity, the user pushing one foot against the ground, an electric motor or motors (with the maximum power output of 200 watts).

Wheeled Recreational Devices can travel on footpaths and on roads where the speed limit is 50km/h per hour or less.

So I can't ride my scooter, skateboard or go 'blading (not that I actually do) on a footpath in a 60 zone?

Can't wait to find out what the fine is for square gaiting. (okay, a lot of people aren't going to get that one.)

edit: found a link DIGGERHISTORY.COM

Originally Posted by Diggerhistory.com

FAQ 105
What is a square gait or square gaiter?

When most people walk they tend to swing their arms a little to aid balance. When they are taught to march this is highlighted and the natural tendency to swing the left arm forward as the right leg goes forward is emphasised. Some people naturally swing their left arm forward as their LEFT leg goes forward. It appears strange, looks unbalanced but is instinctively correct for some people. It is called "square gaiting" and is difficult to correct in some cases. It is also difficult to do unless you do it instinctively. Try it.

I accidentally did it once at recruit school when I was going to collect my pay. I clipped the arm of the sailor coming the other way and was so rigid, I went into an awkward pendulum. It was pretty funny when I think back, but it cost me 40 push ups.

[chinamonty]

Originally Posted by Caradvice.com.au
Unless there is a sign which permits parking, a driver must not stop or park within 20 metres of a tram stop.

This is to cover streets like Chapel Street which are not very wide and have a lot of parking. They have conceded that because of the density of traffic and the general slowness of it (they are arterial roads) there can be a relaxation of the 20 metre rule. It is up to local government to control this aspect with their parking signs. This at least works pretty well and I would imagine the average Melbourne driver would be unaware that there is a law to specifically cover it (I wasn't but I knew one was being considered).
The bits about tramways look confusing until you drive in Melbourne. There are trams that run in reservations in the centre of the road (Tramway) and some that run in tracks in the middle of the road. The law has to cover both as cars cant drive in the tramways.
Yes Hook turns still apply in intersections in the city -they have extended it to cover more intersections which is good as the system really does work. Also cyclists can legally do a hook turn at any intersection with lights.
Would you drive a square gaiter on the road? -I would rather a trotter thanks. Square gaiting also refers to harness racing. A pacer (where both left legs go together at the same time which is unnatural for a horse) is known as a square gaiter due to the contraption that stops the horse from galloping.

[mbukukanyau]

nanny states are only good when you are the nanny.

[MyOldMansMonaro]

Ah this thread almost makes me homesick for somewhere where there are actually road rules...

The no parking at a tram stop thing may also leave a bit more room for those who are quick off the mark (up to the posted speed limit of course ) jump in front of trams leaving tram stops. As a regular tram traveller though, the sooner they ban parking along all tram routes the better for car and tram. Of course whenever there's the merest hint from the government or VicRoads of extending clearways, all the local traders kick up a fuss about their businesses dying because noone can be bothered walking to their shops from anywhere but a parking space out the front.

Originally Posted by Vicroads

Wheeled Recreational Devices can travel on footpaths and on roads where the speed limit is 50km/h per hour or less.

Originally Posted by mikmak

So I can't ride my scooter, skateboard or go 'blading (not that I actually do) on a footpath in a 60 zone?

Good spot; another excellently worded road rule. You'd think they'd have someone there to notice this sort of stuff...

[chinamonty]

In Victoria only major roads are now 60kph. Minor ones are 50kph. Unless a suburban road is posted with a higher limit then it is deemed to be 50kph.So no you can't ride them on major roads and that is fair.

[mikmak]

How about paths that run parallel to roads that are 80 kph? I can easily think of one off the top of my head.