Road rule test: Is it against the law to cross an unbroken double line?
<p>You would hope that licenced drivers would be aware of the road rules that are currently in place, but it turns out there is one rule that a surprising number of motorists aren’t aware of, and it has to do with road markings.</p>
<p>A surprising number of motorists are under the impression that they are unable to cross an unbroken double line when driving, are you one of them? </p>
<p>If living in the state of NSW, there are plenty of instances where drivers are permitted to cross unbroken double lines, and one of them is if you're entering or leaving a road.</p>
<p>The idea that it is illegal to cross a continuous double or single line when driving off or on to a road is a myth.</p>
<p>According to the NSW road rules. crossing a dividing line is allowed if entering or leaving a propery or road "by the shortest route."</p>
<p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="../media/7820974/capture.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4c925f97f74c4f1f9a84a3926f4a15e5" />A good example is when coming out of a petrol station, it is perfectly legal to turn right over the dividing lines unless there is a sign specifically saying you can't.</p>
<p>The rule applies to both double and single unbroken road markings.</p>
<p>Drivers are also allowed to cross any type of dividing line when turning right at an intersection.</p>
<p>Motorists in NSW are also permitted to cross unbroken lines if needing to maintain a safe distance when overtaking a bicycle rider or to avoid obstruction on the road.</p>
<p>If passing a cyclist, drivers must leave a one metre gap in a 60km/h or less speed zone or 1.5 metres when the limit is above 60km/h.</p>
<p>When deciding whether a road obstruction permits someone to cross double lines, drivers must use their own intuition and make sure they have a clear view of oncoming traffic, and if it is “necessary and reasonable in all circumstances” to cross the dividing line and if it is safe to do so.</p>
<p>Speaking to <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/motoring/on-the-road/the-double-dividing-line-rule-many-aussie-drivers-are-getting-wrong/news-story/9baa90c6155e10810b64a83ea99348a0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>, Transport for NSW said that it is critical that all drivers are aware of the road rules, and update themselves regularly if any changes are made.</p>
<p>“It is important that all road users know the rules and abide by them,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.</p>
<p>“We will include this rule in the next Road Rules Awareness Week in early 2019.”</p>
<p>Drivers in the Northern Territory and Western Australia are also allowed to turn right across double dividing lines when entering or leaving a property.</p>
<p>It is illegal in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania to cross a double dividing line when entering or leaving a road.</p>
<p>Motorists in Victoria are only permitted to cross double lines to avoid a potential hazard, while those in Queensland are only allowed if overtaking a cyclist.</p>
<p>Tasmanians and South Australians are able to cross the line in both of these situations.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/the-drivers-handbook/driving-road" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MyLicenceSA</a>, a “slower moving vehicle or a vehicle stopped in a line of traffic” is not considered an obstruction.</p>
<p>But if a situation occurs where a driver is faced with a fallen tree, crashed vehicle or broken down car, then it is permitted to cross an unbroken line.</p>
<p>In NSW, illegally crossing an unbroken like could cost you two demerit points and a $263 fine.</p>
<p>Victoria and South Australia have the highest penalties for illegally crossing an unbroken line, with fines of $322 and $446 and both costing three demerit points.</p>
<p>Queensland also has a three-demerit point penalty, along with a $234 fine.</p>
<p>Drivers in Tasmania are subjected to a $203.75 fine and two demerit points while Western Australia has the lowest penalties at $150 but will cost drivers three demerit points.</p>
<p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>
