NRMA Motoring Blog

As of July 1, NSW will have some new and amended road rules. While they will not dramatically change how the road is used, these new rules need to be obeyed and do come with hefty penalties.

To acquaint yourself with the new rules, visit the RTA’s Road Rules page. But keep reading for a summary of some of the main changes.

Bicycle storage areas

Some intersections may now have bicycle storage areas - painted sections of the road in front of the stop lines that allow cyclists to wait safely at traffic lights.

Drivers must not allow any part of their vehicle to enter the storage area when traffic lights are red. Those that do will attract three demerit points (four in a school zone) and a $324 fine ($405 in a school zone).

Hook turns by cyclists

When a bicycle hook turn storage area at an intersection is provided, cyclists must now use that area when doing hook turns. Cyclists must cross the intersection by staying to the left, then waiting in the storage area until the traffic light is green or when it is safe to cross at intersections without traffic lights.

Slip lanes

Not using a slip lane to turn left where one is provided will now incur a fine of $189 and two demerit points. And unless there are signs to indicate parking, there’s no stopping in a slip lane. Doing so incurs a fine of $135.

Keeping off a painted island

Driving on painted islands is now permitted for only 50 metres if you are entering or leaving the road, or entering a turning lane immediately after the painted island. The penalty for not abiding by this rule is two demerit points and a $189 fine ($54 for bicycles). Parking on a painted island is also illegal and doing so will earn you a $135 fine.

Driver’s lap must be free

A driver must not have a person or animal in their lap when driving, and motorcycle riders must not drive with an animal on the fuel tank. Penalties are three demerit points (four in a school zone) and a $324 fine ($405 in a school zone).

For full details about the road rule changes, visit the RTA’s Road Rules page.

What do you think of the new rules? Has there been enough done to publicly warn motorists of these changes? Do you think they make the road safer or should the law-makers be focusing their attention on other sections of the road?

In mid-2006 we looked at hybrid technology, its place in the market and where it was headed. Two years on, the theory behind hybrid vehicles hasn’t changed, but has the technology? We decided it was time for an update.

The escalating price of oil has meant car manufacturers have been forced to try and make cars more fuel efficient. Of course, while this doesn’t mean their entire focus has been on fuel efficiency and its alternatives – evidenced by the launch of the Hummer H3 in Australia, and new, thirsty Commodore and Falcon ranges - the world has adopted a ‘green’ attitude to almost everything, motor vehicles included, and hybrids, most notably Toyota’s Prius, have been widely promoted as the way of the future. With the price of petrol only going up, they may well be!

Hybrid technology

Hybrid technology has improved in recent years - not greatly, but new ideas on refinement are in development.

The third generation Toyota Prius is on the way. It will debut at the Detroit Motor Show in 2009 and has a 1.8 litre engine (larger than the current model) delivering 100bhp but with 12 per cent improved fuel consumption.

Battery technology is on the improve with researchers in Australia having created what could be called a lead-acid battery on steroids, capable of performing as well as the nickel/metal hydride systems, found in most hybrid cars, at a much lower cost. This battery combines the traditional 150 year old lead acid battery with super capacitors - electronic devices that can quickly absorb and release large bursts of energy over millions of cycles without significant degradation. As a result the battery may last up to 4 times longer than conventional lead/acid batteries and cost 25 per cent less to produce than existing hybrid battery packs. These batteries were tested in the United Kingdom earlier this year and found to be in perfect condition after 100,000 miles on a test track.

At the moment consumers can expect to pay up to $5000 for a replacement battery pack. However with this new technology a hybrid owner will pay around $1000, depending on demand volume. This in itself makes owning a hybrid vehicle a much more appealing and long-term option.

There are also great advances being made with the lithium ion battery which is lighter, stronger and more compact than the nickel metal hydride batteries currently used.

Hybrids in Australia

The number of hybrids available locally is increasing.

• Currently available are –
   o Honda Civic
   o Toyota Prius
   o Lexus RX400H
   o Lexus GS450H
   o Lexus LS600H
• Hyundai are looking at bringing a hybrid vehicle to Australia that runs partly on battery and partly on LPG. This system is up and running in Korea, with great cost savings for the consumer. (Bear in mind that excise will be placed on LPG in 2011, rising to 12.5 cents per litre by 2015.)
• Toyota recently announced it will be manufacturing a hybrid version of the Camry in Australia with support from the Federal Government.

However, even though Toyota recently reached a million Prius sales worldwide (the first and most successful mass-produced petrol/electric hybrid), only 9,300 of those were in Australia. Relatively poor sales may be because the technology is seen as eccentric, they’re not viewed as cost-effective or long waiting lists have put off potential buyers.

Do you drive a hybrid? What do you like and/or dislike about it? Do you intend to buy one in the near future and if so what and why?