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Heavy vehicles have different safety requirements to other vehicles. There are
special road rules that apply to both drivers of heavy vehicles, and drivers
of other vehicles who encounter heavy vehicles.
‘Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle’ sign
Vehicles displaying the Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle
sign require more space to turn left or right, and the law allows them to
use the road differently to other road users.
When turning
If a heavy vehicle has a Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle
sign, its driver is allowed to use either or both lanes if
necessary to turn left or right, if it is safe to do and the truck is within
50m of the intersection.
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Drivers with a do not overtake turning vehicle sign using
both lanes to turn left when safe to do so. |
Overtaking
You must not overtake a vehicle displaying a Do Not Overtake Turning
Vehicle sign if it is signalling, and in the process of turning to that side,
or you will crash into it.
Stopping distances
The Braking Distance is the distance traveled by the vehicle once the
brakes have been applied. This distance is much greater for heavy vehicles,
including buses, due to their additional weight. Take extra care when you
enter a road or change lanes if you are moving in front of them.
Heavy loads
Many heavy vehicles travel by night. And at night it is more difficult
to judge their speed and distance from you. When following a heavy vehicle
that you intend to overtake, stay well back from the rear of the vehicle while
waiting for a safe overtaking opportunity. This will allow you to see further
along the road past the heavy vehicle without having to move significantly
to the right. It also allows vehicles approaching from the opposite direction
to see you earlier.
Slow moving vehicles
On country roads, you will often encounter slow-moving vehicles, such
as tractors, and large agricultural machinery, such as combine harvesters.
You may also encounter people on bicycles, who may be riding two abreast as
it legal for them to do so.
Remember, especially when overtaking, cornering or driving over a crest of
a hill, a slow vehicle may be on or entering the road in front of you.
Dangerous loads
Many trucks carry loads that could be dangerous either through fire,
explosion, corrosion or radioactivity. Information about what is being carried
is indicated on the vehicle’s emergency information panels.
Take extra care when overtaking a truck carrying a dangerous load.
Giving way to buses
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Give way to buses sign |
Give way means remain stationary until it is safe to proceed,
or slow down and, if necessary, stop to avoid a collision.
In a built-up area, you must give way to any bus displaying the give way
sign if the bus is indicating to move out from the kerb. On a multi-lane road,
this only applies to the left lane. However, if the left lane is a bike lane
or is obstructed eg by a parked car, drivers in the lane next to the left
lane must also give way.
Keeping clear of trams
It is important that drivers do not obstruct
trams. Drivers must follow these rules when sharing the road with a
tram:
- You must not drive into the path of a tram.
- If a tram approaches, you must not obstruct the tram
and must move on as soon as you can safely do so (eg if there is a
tram behind you, don’t try to turn right as you will obstruct
the tram while waiting to turn).
- You must not try to overtake a tram on Jetty Road,
Glenelg.
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Speed limits
Drivers of buses of more than 5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and
heavy vehicles of more than 12 tonnes GVM must not exceed 100km/h even if
the general speed limit is higher. Road trains are limited to a maximum speed
of 90 km/h. A longer or wider vehicle, may have a lower maximum speed-limit
as a condition of its permit of travel.
Other Important Information
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