Driving in the Gold Coast

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LennonNZ

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#160233 29-Dec-2014 10:08

Over Christmas I was driving in the Gold Coast and they have a large number of round-a-bouts.

One thing I do instinctively is indicate left when exiting the round-a-bout when going straight ahead (as that is what we do in New Zealand (as it is the law))

I noticed no one in the Gold Coast does and felt I was doing something wrong? was I?

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#1205335 29-Dec-2014 10:11

No, you were doing it right. Queensland road rules do require indicating left at the earliest opportunity prior to exiting a roundabout (even straight ahead), but Queenslanders can't drive. You're lucky if they indicate on a lane change to be honest.

Stu

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#1205341 29-Dec-2014 10:23

Very rare to see indicating at roundabouts done correctly in NZ also! Even police seem to constantly get it wrong.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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LennonNZ

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#1205342 29-Dec-2014 10:23

I just had a quick read of various places and the wording is a little ambiguous and maybe the reason they don't do it. it says in most government websites they use words like should and if practical.. not must..

http://www.ors.wa.gov.au/Documents/Road-Rules/ors-road-craft-roundabouts

"Signal left, if practicable, just after you have passed the last exit before the one you wish to use"

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/road-rules/roundabouts.htm

"You must indicate a left turn just before you exit unless it is not practical to do so"

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Queensland-road-rules/Road-rules-refresher/Roundabouts.aspx

"Before exiting, use your left indicator and follow the exit lane marking"

but on http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_reg/arr210/index.html#s111 I cannot find any specific laws about it????

Kyanar

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#1205447 29-Dec-2014 12:39

LennonNZ:
but on http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_reg/arr210/index.html#s111 I cannot find any specific laws about it????

Looking for Queensland's road rules in the South Australia legislation will not be very productive. In case you weren't aware, Australia is composed of six states with their own laws.

For Queensland, you need to read http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Queensland-road-rules/Road-rules-overview.aspx - which states on page 129 - "If practicable, a driver driving in a roundabout must give a left change of direction signal when leaving the roundabout".

If practicable is simply stating that if it's not possible to indicate left prior to leaving the roundabout, don't do it. If, for example, you're already indicating left, or the roundabout is so small that it would be unclear which way you're indicating to go (and not indicating would be the lesser of two evils).

LennonNZ

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#1205471 29-Dec-2014 13:43

Thanks everyone..

Yes the road rules says you are supposed to indicate when leaving the round-a-bout when I was driving around for quite a number of hours I never saw 1 car actually doing this :-( Have they got so lazy/don't care that the general public have decided not to do it.

Maybe they have taken the words if practicable meaning if they feel like it then they don't have to do it. Any comments from people who live/lived in the Gold Coast/QLD?

sdavisnz

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#1205473 29-Dec-2014 13:47

I dont bother doing in NZ, not neccessary really, give way to me or we have a problem :)

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Kyanar

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#1205483 29-Dec-2014 14:01

LennonNZ: Thanks everyone..

Yes the road rules says you are supposed to indicate when leaving the round-a-bout when I was driving around for quite a number of hours I never saw 1 car actually doing this :-( Have they got so lazy/don't care that the general public have decided not to do it.

Maybe they have taken the words if practicable meaning if they feel like it then they don't have to do it. Any comments from people who live/lived in the Gold Coast/QLD?

I actually do live in Queensland, and I can assure you, it's just that they're awful drivers, who don't follow any road rule that they consider inconvenient. Things such as "checking for clear space prior to a lane change", "driving at or near the speed limit", "maintaining safe following distance" and "stopping for red lights" just don't happen. Sideswipes and nose-to-tails are a daily occurence.

sdavisnz: I dont bother doing in NZ, not neccessary really, give way to me or we have a problem :)

The problem being that you're breaking the law and subject to a fine and demerits on your license?

I sure hope you get pinged and your license suspended. Your attitude is what's wrong with NZ roads.

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sdavisnz

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#1205521 29-Dec-2014 14:57

I don't think cops are sitting on roundabouts looking at peoples indicating.

So i think I'll be fine.

I brought the extra large weet bix box that gave me a licence and a good understanding of how kiwis drive.

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LennonNZ

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#1205526 29-Dec-2014 15:07

sdavisnz: I don't think cops are sitting on roundabouts looking at peoples indicating.

So i think I'll be fine.

I brought the extra large weet bix box that gave me a licence and a good understanding of how kiwis drive.

Maybe not.. but if you are not indicating you are causing other drivers problems.

How are other drivers suppose to know what you are going to do it you give no indication to them?

This is the reason we have laws and from what you have said you are 100% aware of this rule.

roobarb

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#1205527 29-Dec-2014 15:11

The safest way to drive is to assume everyone else it an idiot, as shown here there are folks who consider that rules are for other people.

sdavisnz

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#1205529 29-Dec-2014 15:14

roobarb: The safest way to drive is to assume everyone else it an idiot, as shown here there are folks who consider that rules are for other people.

Agree

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Kyanar

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#1205530 29-Dec-2014 15:15

sdavisnz: I don't think cops are sitting on roundabouts looking at peoples indicating.

So i think I'll be fine.

I brought the extra large weet bix box that gave me a licence and a good understanding of how kiwis drive.

Self-important rubbish. Kiwis, like anyone else in the world, can't read minds. And when idiots drive around without indicating, expecting everyone else to give way to them, accidents happen.

I too understand how the average kiwi drives. With zero regard for anyone else on the roads and an arrogant self-important belief that they own the road. Way to play into the stereotype.

roobarb

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#1205532 29-Dec-2014 15:23

sdavisnz:
roobarb: there are folks who consider that rules are for other people.

Agree

sdavisnz: dont bother doing in NZ, not neccessary really,

sonyxperiageek

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#1205659 29-Dec-2014 18:07

If you think NZ have got drivers not following "rules", you should see what happens in China lol.. Changes lane without indicating while a car is literally 3 meters behind... Swerving here and there.. Man it's crazy there!

But then again, they've got thousands of drivers on the roads and if they don't do that, I guess they'll be stuck in their lane forever lol..

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richms

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#1205723 29-Dec-2014 20:00

sonyxperiageek: If you think NZ have got drivers not following "rules", you should see what happens in China lol.. Changes lane without indicating while a car is literally 3 meters behind... Swerving here and there.. Man it's crazy there!

But then again, they've got thousands of drivers on the roads and if they don't do that, I guess they'll be stuck in their lane forever lol..

It all works really well from what I saw. Noone driving around in a zombie like state, they are actually looking around etc.

Crossing the road is fun tho.

Richard rich.ms

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