When you stop at a 'Stop' sign or 'Stop' line, you must give way to vehicles driving in, entering or approaching the intersection except for: an oncoming vehicle that's also at a 'Stop' sign or line and is turning right. an oncoming vehicle that's at a 'Give way' sign or line and is turning right.
Similarly, Victoria's road rules don't specifically prohibit eating while driving, but drivers can be charged with careless driving if eating affects their concentration and control of the vehicle.
So, the most important rule of using the road is to drive to avoid accidents or harm to other road users. You can do this by anticipating other drivers' actions, leaving a safety bubble and driving within the law.
Traffic lights
If you are facing a traffic light that is: red, you must stop and don't go into the intersection. yellow, you must stop unless you can't stop safely. green, you can go through the intersection if there is room for your vehicle on the other side.
There have been examples of drivers being fined for this in other states, too – a Victorian man was fined $155 for dangling his arm out the window while driving. The fine is now an on-the-spot penalty of $165 in Vic. Suffice to say, keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road will make you a safer driver.
While it's illegal to drink alcohol while driving in Australia, no matter whether you're under the limit or not, Australia has no specific laws against eating or drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving.
Is it illegal to reverse out of a driveway? There's no rule stating that it's illegal to reverse out of a driveway, however you can't reverse unless it's safe to do so. When reversing ensure you give way to any traffic on the road and any pedestrians or bicycle riders on the footpath before you back out.
Yes. If you drive through a yellow light when you could have safely stopped prior to the intersection you are liable to be fined. The penalties for doing so in Victoria include the loss of three demerit points and up to 2.5 penalty units. For the 2022/2023 year, one penalty unit is equivalent to $184.92.
Motorists. When turning left on red: turning left on a red light is only permitted at intersections where the approach has 'Left Turn on Red Permitted after Stopping' signage installed, as shown in the Left Turn on Red video. The usual road rules apply at all other intersections.
Going through a traffic light once it has turned amber drastically increases your chances of being caught going through a red-light, thanks to red-light cameras, the consequence of which is an immediate $469 fine and 3 demerit points.
Respect Laws and Others On the Road
The most effective way for you and others to stay as safe as possible on the road is to respect traffic laws and other drivers. Traffic lights and speed limits exist for a reason, and lanes are there to keep cars from colliding with one another.
First rule of the road: Everyone remember just who comes first.
This is an offence even if you are under the legal limit. Passengers are not prohibited from drinking alcohol in a vehicle. However, it is advised that passengers do not engage in drinking, as drunk passengers could distract a driver.
The short answer is yes, it's legal to eat while you're operating a car. In fact, by the letter of the law, you can also imbibe non-alcoholic drinks while behind the wheel and you can even apply make-up or shave without risk to your licence.
The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for fully licensed drivers in Victoria, and all other states and territories, is 0.05.
You must turn your headlights from high beam to low beam: when a vehicle coming towards you is within 200m. when driving 200m or less behind another vehicle.
Despite the confusion surrounding the peculiar intersection, the rules behind it are simple. A four-way stop sign works the same as a roundabout — just without the circle in the middle of the road. Drivers are supposed to give way to cars on their right, then pass through the intersection when it's clear.
When setting maximum speed limits, most states and territories in Australia follow the model national road rules. Under these rules: Posted speed limits are capped at 110km/h. Where there is a no speed limit posted, default speed limits are 50km/h in built-up areas, and 100km/h in rural areas.
Following distance
Under normal conditions, on most roads and highways, you should try to have a two second gap between your car and the car in front where possible. The way to work this out is to pick a solid object beside the road, and count two second from the time the car in front passes it.
You can only overtake to the left of a vehicle if it is safe to do so and: you are driving on a multi-lane road and the vehicle can be overtaken in a marked lane to the left of the vehicle. the vehicle is turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road and is indicating right. the vehicle is stationary.
What the law is. You must keep both hands on the wheel at all times unless changing gears or indicating. It doesn't matter whether you're driving an automatic or a manual – the law is the same across Australia.