With the financial year coming to an end, July 1 will bring a spate of new changes across each state – and not just in terms of superannuation and tax.
Five new road rules are coming into effect this Saturday, although some people don’t think there’s enough time for every one to get clued in.
“These changes came into effect only days after being announced and did not give road users enough time to absorb the changes,” Dave Jones, RACV Roads and Traffic Manager told news.com.au.
“RACV has listened to its members and believes VicRoads needs to provide more notice to the Victorian community about any changes to the road rules, and publicise the changes well in advance of them coming into effect,” Jones continued, citing a lack of “community consultation” as a flaw in the roll out.
He also advises that VicRoads should have considered “a mandatory 30-day notice period and mass-media communications,” before the laws come into effect tomorrow.
The five new Victorian road rules are:
1. On-the-spot fines for cyclists using mobile phones.
2. Cyclists and motorists will need to slow down to 40kph when passing a stationary or slow-moving emergency vehicle when it’s on a service road, but not when the emergency vehicle is on the other side of a median strip.
3. New give-way rules apply at intersections with bicycle crossing lights.
4. Vehicles are prohibited from travelling with an empty bike carrier attached.
5. Coaches and cyclists will be permitted to use bus lanes.
