Proposed improvements to the Australian Road Rules include a requirement for drivers to give an advanced left or right turning signal before entering a roundabout.

“A driver is already required to warn other road users if they are turning left or right on the approach to intersections so applying the same rule for roundabouts simply reflects current practice and makes common-sense,” said NTC Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos.

The recommendation is included in a package of amendments to the Australian Road Rules (ARR) released by the National Transport Commission (NTC) for public consultation.

Other proposed changes clarify the intent of the existing rules and promote better understanding, including:

• the wider use of shared zones to improve pedestrian safety;
• giving-way to pedestrians who are crossing the road a driver is turning into;
• overtaking a long vehicle on the left on a multi-lane highway;
• leaving marked lanes (eg: trucks use left lane) to make a turn;
• keeping crossings clear at traffic lights or children’s crossings;
• mobile phones must not be held-in-the-hand (or between the shoulder and neck) while driving, including for the use of GPS vehicle tracking functions on phones; and
• the insertion of examples and improved wording for some rules.

NTC welcomes public submissions on the proposal by 4^th July 2008.