‘Bus lanes’ can be used by buses, taxis, public hire cars, motorcycles, bicycles and emergency vehicles. Other motorists can be fined for travelling in a bus lane unless it’s for a short distance (i.e. before you’re about to turn at an intersection or into a driveway) or crossing the lane from a side street or driveway.

Road users should be aware that there are also ‘bus only lanes’, such as those on the Liverpool to Parramatta T-way route in south western Sydney and the North-West T-way that operates between Parramatta and Rouse Hill. These are signposted accordingly.

Incorrect use of a ‘bus lane’ or ‘bus only lane’ will result in a fine and loss of demerit points. There are cameras in place and police regularly patrol these lanes. If you are caught driving in a ‘bus lane’, the fine is $238.00 and 3 demerit points.

Other rules for bus priority

The use of the B indicator at traffic lights is utilised by buses to allow the bus to move more freely around traffic and to give the bus right of way in order to keep to its timetable.

Another thing to be mindful of is the buses’ exception rule which allows buses to travel straight ahead from a turning lane. This rule also gives them the right of way when pulling away from a kerb after alighting or picking up passengers from a bus stop.

For more information and bus lane locations, visit the RTA website.

Are bus lanes a good idea? Have you been fined for using a bus lane? Should there be more in and around the CBD?

It underlines the significance of the industry to the Australian economy, a necessary and perhaps long overdue recognition. It is our greatest manufacturing export earner, pulling in $4.7 billion in 2007. We earn more exporting cars than we do wool or wheat. We are one of only 14 countries with the skills and resources able to take the most complex consumer durable from an idea to production.

Given the need to accelerate the introduction of interim and post fossil fuel automotive technologies, the Bracks Report recognises correctly that this capability is a significant national asset. To this end, it calls for the doubling of the Green Car Innovation Fund, to $1 billion, in association with the inclusion of automotive transport in any proposed carbon emissions trading scheme.

Other aspects of the report’s recommendations are consistent with this carrot and stick approach.

It proposes, for example, that existing subsidies to the industry, under the Automotive Competitiveness and Investment Scheme, should be continued to 2020, with $2.5 billion worth of grants to car makers and component suppliers.

However it also recommends that tariffs on imported cars should continue to be reduced, from the present level of 10 per cent, to 5 per cent by 2010.

So the “Bracks plan” in essence is very similar to the Hawke government’s “Button plan” (named after then industry Minister, the late Senator John Button) of the mid 1980s in that it identifies export performance as the key to survival, (plus the new green technology imperative), while at the same time cutting tariffs further – in a market that is already one of the most open and diverse in the world - to provide consumers with a greater choice of cheaper cars.

The Productivity Commission, perhaps miffed by the fact that it was not asked to conduct the inquiry, earlier released its own assessment of the Australian car industry which, basically, called it a basket case and estimated that each of the 60,000 or so people employed in it are already subsidised by taxpayers to the tune of $300,000 each.

Unsupported, the Australian car industry would certainly wither and die, probably quite quickly. But there is an element of socialising losses and capitalising profits in the way it operates, which does seem illogical when you consider that it isn’t even truly Australian. The industry is 100 per cent owned by two American companies and one Japanese company, and all major strategic and product decisions are made by American and Japanese executives, who answer to their boards and shareholders.

Economic hardheads – an essential qualification for a job at the Productivity Commission – correctly point out that when times are tough it is taxpayers who bail the industry out, and when times are good its profits end up in Detroit and Tokyo.

When the next automotive industry review - and the one after that, and probably the one after that - submit their reports to the government of the day, it’s a fair bet that continued taxpayer funded assistance will be a key recommendation.

Is a domestic car industry worth having, or should we simply let the market take its course, abolish tariffs completely, and drive other countries’ cars?

But how long will it last? By all accounts the price of petrol will go back up and keep rising, as demand outweighs supply and oil reserves grow smaller.

Months of very high prices have given motorists more than a taste of what’s to come and a lot of people are acting, some by choice and some by necessity. We want to know what you’re doing.

The number of commuters using public transport has reportedly risen to its highest level since 1999. Have you found public transport to be a cheaper option?

Are you trying to be more frugal with your petrol or have you altered your driving technique so you use less?

Have you been getting your car serviced regularly, checking your tyre pressure weekly, going easy on the air-conditioner and carrying as little weight as possible?

Maybe you’ve signed up for a new credit card that offers discounts at certain petrol stations.

Perhaps the cost of petrol has prompted you to sell the V8 for a more economical four cylinder car.

Have you decided a vehicle that runs on alternative fuel is the answer and bought a hybrid, converted to LPG or bought a new turbo diesel?

Or are you going about your business as normal and waiting to see what happens?

What are you doing to cope with high petrol prices?

Survey results

Toyota was ranked first on the list of the world’s 1,000 most respected companies in a new global survey of consumer attitudes. 60,000 people in 27 countries completed the survey, which ranked companies by perceptions of trust, esteem, admiration and good feeling. It was the only automotive company to score in the top tier. Toyota was followed by Google, IKEA and Ferrero.

Locally, Toyota also topped the annual Australian Reader’s Digest poll as the most trusted automotive brand in the land. According to respondents, Toyota earned top spot because it consistently produced high quality models, delivered safe, reliable and economic cars and backed its product.

25,624 Toyotas sold in June

Toyota became the first car company in Australia to sell over 25,000 cars in a single month. Despite high interest rates and the rising cost of petrol, it sold 25,624 cars in June alone – the highest monthly tally ever achieved by a car company in Australia.

June’s sales took Toyota’s tally to 127,400 vehicles sold in 2008 – 60,000 more than the second-placed manufacturer. Its market share for the first half of 2008 sits at an impressive 23.5 per cent, with the Corolla being Australia’s best selling car so far this year.

Is Toyota the benchmark for car companies?

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?

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?

“The time has come for Australia to reduce its dependence on the petroleum industry once and for all,” Mr Evans says.

Australian motorists are enduring one of the most dramatic jumps in petrol pricing ever seen, with petrol reaching record highs. And, with petrol prices predicted to hit 170 cents per litre within weeks, things are only going to get worse.

Most manufacturers are developing vehicles run on hybrids and, to a lesser extent, alternative fuels in response to rising oil prices and pressure to go ‘green’. Last month, the world’s first mass-produced petrol-electric hybrid, the Toyota Prius, reached a million worldwide sales. Toyota has also announced it will begin production on a hybrid Camry sedan here in Australia in 2010. BMW is busy developing engines that run on alternative fuels, recently unveiling a hydrogen-powered 7-series sedan at the 2008 SAE World Congress.

But is the matter being addressed with the urgency it deserves? Real fuel alternatives are still in the developmental stages, meaning we’ll have to endure ever-increasing petrol prices for a few more years at least.

What fuel alternatives would you like to see? Will you be catching public transport more than you used to or do you have your own way of minimising your dependence on petrol?

Whether you’ve jumped on a bike for the love or as a money-saving transport alternative, motorcycles are becoming increasingly prevalent. However, with the good there’s always the bad. There’s no shortage of motorcycles on our roads, but are they being accommodated?

There’s a fair contingent of motorcycle riders in the NRMA offices. Asking around, they all spoke of the practicalities of owning a bike and the fun that comes with it. But they also had their criticisms:

• • Rough roads: Poor road surfaces make riding difficult and damage tyres. Having to be wary of potholes and debris is a distraction and compromises safety.
• • Lack of motorcycle friendly roads: Outside Sydney there are some good roads, but not in metropolitan Sydney.
• • Other motorists: Despite more bikes on the road, education about sharing the road with them has not increased.
• • Tolls: The current E-tag attachment is not appropriate for motorcycles.

Having started the ball rolling, we’d love to know what you find difficult about riding a motorcycle in Australia?

Check out our Two Wheels section for new motorcycle and scooter reviews.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s survey, Coles Express had the highest petrol prices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Mr Walker said the commission had identified about 30 Coles Express sites in Sydney that were selling petrol for 155.9 cents a litre, when the average price was 143.3 cents a litre. According to News.com.au, Coles was selling petrol in Melbourne for up to 14 cents more than the city’s average.

Mr Walker advised motorists to shop around for the best price, as those who use shopper dockets may not be getting the discount they think they are.

“It is important that consumers do not automatically rely on their petrol discount voucher to necessarily deliver the lowest price,” he said.

NRMA President Alan Evans said, “The Petrol Commissioner has done well to catch and shame Coles for their over-pricing; he now needs the powers to do something about it.”

Mr Evans said that bad press alone is not enough, as oil companies have grown immune to it. He believes the Commissioner’s powers must therefore be extended so he can:

• • Force oil companies to drop their prices when they are over-inflated;
• • Force oil companies to artificially keep their prices down to compensate motorists who have been over-charged;
• • Fine oil companies.

Have you noticed some service stations regularly being more expensive than others?

Several factors have contributed to the diesel price rise.

The main reason for diesel being consistently more expensive than standard unleaded petrol is that most diesel is sold under contract to fleet operators, mainly for heavy vehicles. This means the volume sold at your local service station is low, leaving retailers little incentive to discount.

Also previous Government regulations allowed diesel to contain 500 particles per million of sulphur. This has recently been adjusted to allow only 50ppm resulting in the production costs of diesel and unleaded petrol being quite similar.

Diesel prices are also kept high by demand in Asia, where most transport uses diesel.

Many Australians holidaying in New Zealand come back wondering why diesel is significantly cheaper there than it is here. However, Trans-Tasman diesel prices cannot be compared, as diesel in NZ is not taxed at the point of sale. Rather, diesel vehicle owners are required to pay a Road User Charge (RUC) in distance travelled slots, making the actual cost of the journey much more expensive than it appears at the bowser.

Manufacturers and the Government may be pushing diesel as a ‘green’ alternative to petrol, but owners and potential buyers are probably questioning if diesel is indeed a fuel of the future.

What are your experiences with buying diesel? Do you still find it worth the money, despite the recent price rises?