Understanding the road rules and driving safely is particularly important during the approaching long weekend with many South Australians taking short holidays and driving long distances on our roads. Now is the time to brush up on the road rules and responsibilities. Whether you are a new driver or have been driving for years I hope we all enjoy a safe and happy Queens Birthday weekend.

In an effort to raise awareness of road safety and the road rules for South Australians, the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) has recently updated the Driver’s Handbook.

The handbook highlights key issues that can lead to road crashes including speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and inattention. It also highlights road rules to ensure drivers understand their obligations when driving on South Australian roads.

The handbook is a valuable resource for young drivers providing them with the information they need to safely start their driving career. It is also a resource for all drivers on South Australian roads. As a road user, can you answer the following questions?

• How can you avoid fatigue when driving?
• What are your responsibilities when sharing the road with cyclists?
• What are safe distances for overtaking?
• What are the restrictions on loads when towing?
• What are your legal responsibilities if you are involved in a crash?

If you cannot answer these questions, or were unsure of the answers, then it may be time to revisit the Driver’s Handbook and brush up on your responsibilities as a road user.

The new handbook also includes a ‘Fitness to Drive’ section. This is provided for older drivers to self-assess their driving abilities and replaces the South Australian Handbook for Older Drivers. It also has suggestions for older people to keep their driving skills at a high level. It is never too late to revisit the Driver’s Handbook. The handbook is available now from Service SA Customer Service Centres, a valuable resource for only $10. Keep a copy nearby in your glove box.

The Driver’s Handbook is DPTI’s explanation of how to safely use the roads. Unfortunately there are some who step outside these boundaries, and a major focus of South Australian Police is to take action against those drivers. Informed and compliant drivers are fundamental to the safe system approach we are implementing in South Australia.

Drive Safely
Martin Small

On average, 72% of fatal and serious crashes that occur at speeds of 80 km an hour or more are due to cars leaving the road, hitting fixed objects such as trees and posts or suffering rollovers. Some of these single vehicle run-off road crashes occur because the driver is engaged in unacceptable behaviour (usually speeding). Others because the driver made a simple mistake. Whatever the reason, the safe system approach to road safety demands roadsides that are more forgiving. This is a key strategy in South Australia’s Road Safety Action Plan 2008-2010.

Most single vehicle crashes occur because of the vehicle leaving the road to the left, especially on straight roads and the outside of curves. DPTI is therefore implementing a four-year $29.4 million program that will aim to deliver 500 km of shoulder sealing on more than 25 rural roads throughout the state.

Single vehicle run-off road crashes often occur when a car's left wheels leave the road and the driver over corrects. Shoulder sealing improves the safety for all road users by creating greater space for manoeuvring on the road. It provides the driver with a greater margin of error should they stray over the edge line on the side of the road.

The roads chosen for shoulder sealing were selected using a range of criteria including the crash history and traffic volumes. This approach ensures that funding is allocated to the projects where the greatest benefit can be provided to the community as a whole.

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Driving a vehicle after consuming alcohol puts yourself and others on the road at risk of death or serious injury. In 2008, over one in three drivers and riders killed in road crashes had an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of over 0.05. Another quarter of drivers and riders who were hospitalised after a road crash recorded a BAC over 0.05.

Of particular concern are serious and repeat drink drivers. The irresponsible and potentially deadly actions of these drivers show they have little regard for the community or their own safety, when driving under the influence of alcohol.

From 1 May, serious drink drive offenders are required to have an alcohol interlock fitted to their vehicle at the end of their licence disqualification. A driver will not be able to re-gain a full driver’s licence until they have completed the required alcohol interlock time.

A serious drink driving offence is defined as:

• a second or subsequent offence, within a period of 5 years, of driving with a (BAC) at or above 0.08
• driving with a BAC at or above 0.15
• driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor
• refusing to provide a sample of breath or blood for the purpose of alcohol testing.

The alcohol interlock must be installed for a period of time equal to the disqualification, which will be at least 12 months. An alcohol interlock is required before a driver can drive a nominated vehicle, and they will bear all costs related to the interlock.

An alcohol interlock is a small breath-testing device, about the size of an electric shaver, fitted to a vehicle and connected to the vehicle's ignition circuit. It measures the driver's breath alcohol level when blown into, allowing the driver to drive legally, but preventing the car from starting if alcohol is present. The technology is proven to reduce drink driving by offenders and arrangements have been made to support rehabilitation for those offenders who have alcohol dependency issues.

Failure to comply with any of the alcohol interlock conditions will attract a maximum penalty of $2,500. It is also an offence for a person to assist the holder of an alcohol interlock licence to operate a motor vehicle or interfere with an alcohol interlock in contravention of the conditions. The maximum penalty for this offence is also $2,500.

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With the road toll 24 more than this time last year, the SAPOL Major Crash Investigation Unit (MCIU) reminds drivers during the June long weekend to:

• focus on the road conditions while driving
• give yourself time to get to your destination so you can make the journey without speeding and time pressure
• make sure you and your passengers always wear a seatbelt
• intervene if you see someone trying to drive after consuming drugs or too much alcohol.

Dangerous driving will continue to be a key target for police.

Fatigue is another factor in 30% of fatal crashes and 15% of serious injuries.

DPTI maintains and develops rest areas for drivers across South Australian roads in conjunction with the Federal Government, Local Government and commercial operators. Rest areas assist drivers to take regular breaks when driving and can assist drivers who are fatigued.

If driving long distances, make use of rest areas at least every two hours, plan your rest breaks to ensure you leave enough time to take them and do not push yourself to reach a destination by not having rest breaks. Give yourself about fifteen minutes, which is long enough to stretch your legs, freshen up and have a quick bite to eat or drink. You will feel better straight away.

DPTI has undertaken a four-year program to upgrade and install new rest areas on state roads and national highways across South Australia including the Mallee Highway, Riddoch Highway, Adelaide to Port Augusta Highway and Sturt Highway. Planning continues for further works. Look out for Bushell’s Driver Reviver sites operating during the June long weekend, which provide free coffee or tea and a snack for travelers. Driver Reviver web site

The DPTI supports and promotes the concept of Driver Reviver and similar campaigns as important measures addressing driver fatigue and supporting road users to arrive safely at destinations. 

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National Rail Safety Week kicks off from July 25 to July 31 with the key message; "all level crossing crashes are avoidable".

During this week DPTI will continue to raise awareness across metro and rural South Australia of safe road user behaviour by truck drivers at level crossings.

Between April 2006 and December 2007 there have been 12 level crossing accidents across Australia. Of these 12 accidents, nine have involved trucks. These accidents have cost the lives of 19 people, 13 on board the trains and six occupants of the trucks. In addition, over 60 people have been injured and the damage bill is estimated at well over $100 million.

To help convey the rail safety messages to truck drivers and the trucking industry three semi trailer trucks will be wrapped with campaign images and the message ‘Some things are worth waiting for’ to remind truck drivers to stop for trains and trams at level crossings. This supports a national rail safety campaign that has been running in South Australia since March 2009.

A Pacific National train and Trans Adelaide tram currently wrapped with the campaign message will continue during rail safety week to promote the message to all drivers.

A new brochure ‘Heavy vehicle safety at railway level crossings’ will also be distributed to trucking companies to remind truck drivers that heavy vehicles can cause a train or tram to derail, which may kill or injure many people and themselves.

People often engage in risky behaviour at level crossings, with the main reason being to save time. When at a level crossing all drivers should remember that, ‘Some things are worth waiting for’.

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A series of heavy vehicle compliance and enforcement reforms continue as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve heavy vehicle road safety, it consists of four components.

Chain of Responsibility
Instead of focusing on individual drivers the chain of responsibility places responsibility on all parties within the logistics chain to manage the transport task. It categorises offences into minor, substantial and severe depending on the level of risk and impact on road safety. This means that safety offences can apply to directors and managers of companies involved in the transport task.

Heavy Vehicle Fatigue
Heavy vehicle fatigue laws commenced on 29 September 2008, providing options that allow companies to work safer, not less. Operators of trucks and truck combinations with a gross vehicle mass of more than 12 tonnes, and buses seating more than 12 adults including the driver can choose:

• standard hours: allowing a maximum of 12 hours work time in 24
• basic fatigue management and advanced fatigue management providing increased flexibility in work and rest hours to operators with systems and practices that safely manage driver fatigue, in accordance with fatigue management standards and business rules.

The laws extend responsibility for managing fatigue risks to off-road parties who control activities affecting driver work and rest times, and ultimately driver fatigue.

Speed
Like the previous reforms, the heavy vehicle speed reform focuses on ensuring that all off-road parties within the logistics chain effectively manage driver speed. It is expected that this reform will be introduced in September 2009.

Vehicle Standards
The fourth aspect of the reform will be Vehicle Standards with an expected delivery of 2011.

See heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws for further information. For any of the other compliance and enforcement reforms contact Policy and Projects on 8343 2917.

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The government is acting to reduce the number of unregistered and uninsured vehicles on our roads, targeting those vehicle owners who are avoiding their share of revenue into the Highway’s fund. From 1 June 2009, road traffic cameras can detect unregistered and uninsured vehicles.

By keeping your vehicle registered you will avoid camera detection and bigger fines. By being registered, you are covered by Compulsory Third Party insurance (CTP) so if you injure somebody in a crash, you will not be responsible for all their injury costs. Your rego payment also helps fund ongoing road maintenance and upgrades which assists in making the roads safer for all users.

New rules and heavier penalties for unregistered vehicles include:

• notifying vehicle transfer within 14 days
• notifying your change of address within 14 days
• surrendering unused number plates.

http://www.ezyreg.sa.gov.au

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