Re: new road rules
Sylvia Else
> How many cars are going to be booked in the bicycle storage area if they
> stopped there on orange.They would be there for red duration.
> [Law says not enter area if red] they would be legally there but I can
> envisage arguments
Added aus.cars.
It also says not to enter the area on yellow. In both cases, entering
the area consists of crossing a stop line before the area.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rr2008104/s57.html
However, the requirement to stop before the area on yellow is contingent
on the driver being able to do so safely. If the driver cannot do so
safely, but can stop before the intersection, then the driver must stop
before the intersection. This would potentially leave the vehicle
standing on the cycle storage area. However, it is not an offence to
*stand* on the area, it is only an offence to enter it in the stated
circumstances.
So any prosecution for a driver found on such an area would have to
show, beyond reasonable doubt, that either the driver entered the area
on a red signal, or entered it on a yellow signal in circumstances where
the driver could have stopped safely before the area. Proving the latter
would usually be difficult.
Clearly, a driver accused of having breached this rule should be careful
to say nothing of substance to the accusing officer, so as to avoid any
suggestion that they could have stopped safely before the area. Perhaps
"I hear what you say, but I'm exercising my right to make no comment."
On another note, I see that the rule regarding driving on painted
islands has again been changed. Originally the rule was that you
couln't, period. Then a few years ago it was changed so that you could
(at least where the painted island preceded a turning lane). Now the
rule will be that you can, but only up to 50 metres.
I thought the original rule was the sensible one. If you're allowed to
drive on it, then why have it? The rule as originally changed amounted
to saying that "painted islands have no legal effect, but we can't be
bothered to remove them." The new rule makes no sense at all, and
because it involves a distance, will create inevitable disputes in court
about whether or not an offending distance had been proved.
Sylvia.
TomTom
Sylvia Else <syl...@not.at.this.address> typed:
>
>
> On another note, I see that the rule regarding driving on painted
> islands has again been changed. Originally the rule was that you
> couln't, period.
Originally, the rule was expressed using "full-stop". I blame the hegemony
of US tv. Full-stop.
Sylvia Else
Yes. You see how contagious it is? Despite my dislike of everything
linguistically American, it caught me off guard.
Next I'll be saying "between you and I".
Sylvia.
atec77
^Tems^
The illustration here
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/roadrules/2008nswrrulechanges.html
shows the green box at the front of a cycle lane but what if there is no
cycle lane does that mean a bike can ride between traffic to get to the
green box or do they have to wait in line like everyone else?
I can see a lot of accidents happening with people seeing a bike up in
front and diving into the right lane on their approach to lights
GrassyNoel
> Next I'll be saying "between you and I".
>
> Sylvia.
Between you and I, I could care less :-)
TomTom
GrassyNoel <ger...@webace.com.au> typed:
Less than what?
Sylvia Else
>
> The illustration here
> http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/roadrules/2008nswrrulechanges.html
> shows the green box at the front of a cycle lane but what if there is no
> cycle lane does that mean a bike can ride between traffic to get to the
> green box or do they have to wait in line like everyone else?
It's a good question. If there's a cycle lane, then the green box would
seem to be unnecessary anyway.
>
> I can see a lot of accidents happening with people seeing a bike up in
> front and diving into the right lane on their approach to lights
There's also the problem of cyclists moving in front of traffic because
the lights are red, but at the moment they turn green. There seems to be
a reaction time window during which the cyclist will get run over.
Sylvia.
Sylvia Else
He probably meant fewer.
Sylvia.
TomTom
Sylvia Else <syl...@not.at.this.address> typed:
I'd ask what he meant, but that might confuse him.
Sylvia Else
Yes, he did.
Sylvia.
TomTom
Sylvia Else <syl...@not.at.this.address> typed:
Did he mean it?