When it comes to the driving habits of NSW road-users, it’s slow drivers that has many NRMA members seeing red.

The hottest topic from the March/April issue of Open Road magazine was driving below the speed limit – with this statement from the Letters page, in particular, sparking debate:

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with travelling in the right-hand lane 2 or 3 km/h below the speed limit,” said one reader.

The team at Open Road were inundated with letters in response. So, it’s worth clarifying what exactly are the road rules when it comes to driving under the speed limit, travelling in the right-hand lane on roads and tailgating?

Driving slowly
According to the NSW Road Rules you cannot drive so abnormally slowly that you cause an obstruction. An example of driving ‘abnormally slowly’ would be, if you were travelling at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour on a road with a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour, then you could be causing an obstruction to other drivers if there is no reason for you to drive at that speed on that road.

Keeping left
Drivers are to keep to the left on a multi-lane road where the speed limit is over 80 kilometres per hour, and are only allowed to drive in the right lane in certain circumstances:

• Overtaking
• Turning right
• Making a U-turn from the centre of the road
• There is a ‘Left lane must turn left sign’ or left traffic lane arrows apply and the driver is not turning left
• The driver is required to drive in the right lane if traffic signs require a particular kind of vehicle to drive in the marked lane indicated by the signs.
• Avoiding an obstruction
• Traffic in every lane is congested
• The right lane is a special purpose lane in which the driver is permitted to drive
• There are only two marked lanes and the left lane is a slow vehicle turn out lane.

If a ‘Keep Left Unless Overtaking’ sign is displayed, then you must keep left regardless of the speed limit (unless overtaking).

Tailgating
Tailgating is a definite no-no and the Road Rules make this clear: “A driver must drive a sufficient distance behind a vehicle travelling in front of the driver so the driver can, if necessary, stop safely to avoid a collision with the vehicle.”

What do you think about these rules? What are your thoughts on drivers who travel under the speed limit?

Find out if your letter made it into the May/June 2013 issue of Open Road which is arriving in mailboxes now.

View past issues of Open Road or download the Open Road App for iPad.

What are the silliest names manufacturers have come up with for new cars over the years? Our friends at Australian Classic Car magazine have compiled a car name list of shame:

10 – Renault Dauphine (1956)
Dauphine was a province in feudal France. It’s probably a great name for a car – if you happen to be a French historian and know what the hell it means.

9 – Daihatsu Naked (2000)
Seems something got lost in translation. The car’s clothes, perhaps. Daihatsu had bad-name priors with the Fellow (1966).

8 – Ford Prefect (1938)
Only an inbred twit educated at England’s snobbiest private school could ever think this was a good name for a car.

7 – Subaru Tribeca (2005)
“Hey, the Dodge Daytona, Chevy Bel Air and Mercury Monterey were all classics. If we name our car after an American city we can’t go wrong!”

6 – Reliant Robin (1973)
Not only a stupid name, it became an ironic name when you tried to steer the stupid thing around a corner.

5 – Ford Probe (1989)
Apparently no-one at Ford was familiar with the word ‘connotations’. The Taurus also gets a nod for being named after the stubbornest, ugliest star sign in the zodiac.

4 – Holden Brougham (1968)
This short-lived nameplate conjured up pictures of an old man in a tweed coat. It also sounded suspiciously like ‘brown’, the most boring colour of all.

3 – Mazda Carol (1962)
Yes, really. Mazda has a long rap sheet, including the Cronos, Bongo, Familia, Luce, Premacy and Savanna.

2 – Cadillac Park Avenue (1971)
‘Park Avenue’ made a bold statement: “This is the ideal car for wanker executives who want to tell the world they have tons of money – and no taste.”

1 – Nissan Cedric (1960)
Meant to sound distinguished, instead it sounded like someone’s grandpa. Nissan is another serial offender, with the Gloria, Prairie Joy, Pantry Boy Supreme, Laurel and Mistral on the list of shame.

Which of these do you think is the silliest car name? Have you got any that can beat our list?

Article taken from the May 2013 issue of Australian Classic Car. If you love classic cars, follow them on Facebook or find out how you can subscribe.

Have you ever been behind the wheel and found yourself frustrated by congestion, a detour due to roadworks, pot holes or other delays?

More than 15,000 frustrated Members had their say last year in our annual Seeing Red on Roads survey. In 2013, both a federal election year and the third of our campaign, we want even more people to get behind the survey.

Over the last two years of the campaign, our Members have consistently flagged the Pacific and Princes Highways as the worst roads in the state. In response, we’ve seen record levels of funding committed by the government to start fixing both these roads.

In fact, since NRMA’s first Seeing Red on Roads campaign in 2011, governments have committed over $1.8 billion to fix the Pacific Highway and $240 million to fix the Princes Highway.

The NSW Government has also announced its WestConnex Project to fix the road NRMA Members voted as the worst in Sydney – Parramatta Road.

These major announcements show that our campaign works!

Although we’ve made a great start in getting these dangerous roads upgraded, there’s no better time than an election year to ensure NSW secures its fair share of federal road funding.

We encourage every NRMA Member to take part in the Seeing Red on Roads survey. With your support we can help make sure NSW gets much needed road investments.

Are the pot holes on your local street driving you nuts? Is the snail paced traffic during peak hour on your local motorway frustrating you? Whatever the issue, have your say here.

Will the Pacific Highway come out number one again or have the recent upgrades provided enough relief for North Coast motorists?

Below are the Top 10 Most Frustrating Roads in 2012 as voted by you. Click on the image below to enlarge.

LEARN SMART: Just in case you missed the recent news on the new course for learners, which will give a reduction in logbook hours, here is the latest info.

We’ve had a huge response from Members since we posted on our site and Facebook page that from the 1 July 2013 learners will be able to complete a Safer Drivers Course and get a reduction in logbook hours.

Just in case you missed it, here is the latest information.

What does the Course involve?

The Safer Drivers Course is a combined theoretical and practical course. It will involve a facilitated group session discussing how to manage risks on the road and tailored in-car coaching addressing individual learning needs.

All up the course will take about five hours. The group session will run for two to three hours and the in-car coaching will be one to two hours.

The NRMA provided advice to the NSW Government Advisory Panel that developed the Course.

Do I still need to do 120 logbook hours?

Once you have done the Course your logbook hours reduce by 20 hours.

If you do the Course and do 10 hours of professional driving lessons your logbook hours go down to 80.

How much will it cost?

At this stage, we don’t know exactly how much it will cost to do the Course but the NSW Government has said the price will be affordable.

When will it be available?

The first group of learner drivers will do the course in July 2013. The Course will then be rolled out in NSW based on demand and provider availability.

What else has changed?

From 1 July 2013, learner drivers will be allowed to drive up to 90km/h instead of 80km/h. This will make sure that learners are supervised the first time they drive at 90km/h.

What do you think? Do you agree with these changes?

FUEL FOR THOUGHT: we are heavily dependent on imports of refined petroleum products and crude oil to meet our liquid fuel demand but Australia continues to adopt a “she’ll be right” approach to fuel security.

Australia is the world’s ninth-largest energy producer and there are many renewable and non-renewable energy resources in our country. Despite this, we are heavily dependent on imports of refined petroleum products and crude oil to meet our liquid fuel demand.

With such a spread-out population, Australia relies heavily on road transportation to move goods and services around. Our transport system is more than 95 per cent dependent on oil.

Did you know that if the oil stopped coming, goods and services could dry up in just over a week?

According to research carried out for our report, If Australia’s oil supply was cut:

• dry goods could run out within nine days;
• chilled and frozen goods could run out within seven days;
• retail pharmacy supplies could run out within seven days;
• hospital pharmacy supplies could run out within three days; and
• fuel available to the public could run out within three days.

Australia needs to develop an alternative fuels industry – and only then, could we ween ourselves off our world oil dependency.

It doesn’t help that Sydney will have no refining capacity after 2014. The Clyde refinery closed last year and Kurnell will follow soon. If our supplies are cut off due to disruption to our shipping lanes, we would find ourselves in a crisis situation very quickly.

Australia continues to adopt a “she’ll be right” approach to fuel security, relying on global oil and fuel markets.

These markets have proven to be volatile with fluctuations of up to 60 cents per litre for unleaded fuel prices at the pump seen in the space of just six months. The reason for dramatic fluctuations can include conflict in the Middle East and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina.

This report is another wake-up call for governments to get serious about developing an alternative fuels industry.

Are you concerned about Australia’s oil dependency? Would you like the Government to do more to develop our alternative fuel industry?

The NRMA’s Australia’s Liquid Fuel Security report can be downloaded at: http://www.mynrma.com.au/about/reports-and-submissions.htm.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Have you had a train experience which made you see red? What improvements would you like to see on our rail network?

A couple of weeks ago staff at NRMA’s Wynyard office were astounded by the scenes outside the office. A sea of people spilling onto York St, police marshalling the crowds, total chaos. Was it a natural disaster, a security threat?

No. Overhead power lines entangled with a branch at Waverton train station had disrupted services on the North Shore Line. The butterfly effect of this minor fault rippled through the network, affecting an estimated 50,000 people who travel between Central and Chatswood on a Monday morning.

Two weeks later, NRMA staff in North Strathfield got an early Valentine’s Day present while traveling home, when smoke emerged from the air conditioner at RailCorp’s Strathfield signal box, forcing the evacuation of the entire station and having knock-on effects throughout the CityRail network. With frustrated commuters piling on to buses and phoning a friend for a lift out of there, Strathfield’s peak hour congestion became even worse.

From our research, the frustrations that our staff are feeling are shared by our Members. Nearly half of NRMA’s 2.5 million Members use public transport regularly, many catching a train to and from work every day.

From our Member survey in July 2012, 70 per cent of Members want better public transport to give them an alternative to the car.

We are now asking commuters to have their say on Sydney’s rail network by participating in NRMA’s first ever Seeing Red on Rail survey.

NRMA wants YOU to vote now now on the biggest issues on the rail network, whether it’s late trains, rubbish on seats or personal safety concerns. Better public transport options will encourage more people to use rail services, helping reduce road congestion and our impact on the environment.

Have you had a train experience which made you see red? What improvements would you like to see on our rail network? Have your say now, VOTE now.

By completing the short survey you will also go into the draw to WIN one of three iPad minis or one of five $100 NRMA Online Shop vouchers.*

*Terms and conditions apply. NSW Permit No. LTPM/12/00479 and ACT TP 12/02327. Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion.

TEST-TIME: Use this list to cross your Ls and dot your Ps.

Should slow cars keep left? Do you need to indicate at roundabouts? Are you allowed to drive through a yellow light? 

“The community told us they didn’t understand some of the changes we made last
year and they also told us they were not sure about many other existing rules,” said NSW Roads Minister Mr Duncan Gay in a press release.

“To address this issue we have developed a guide answering many of the unknowns
about road rules in a simple way.”

These are the 10 most misunderstood road rules in the state, according to Transport for NSW.

1. ROUNDABOUTS: Drivers approaching a roundabout must use their indicators when turning or making a U-turn. There is no requirement for drivers to signal when approaching the roundabout, if they are going straight ahead.

2. GIVING WAY TO PEDESTRIANS: If a driver is turning left or right at an intersection, the driver must give way to any pedestrian crossing the road the driver is entering. This applies to intersections with and without traffic lights.

3. MOBILE PHONES: A mobile phone can only be used while driving if it’s secured in a commercially designed and manufactured mounting fixed to the vehicle or operated by Bluetooth technology or voice activation. This includes the navigational or GPS function and audio functions of the device.

4. MERGING: When a driver is travelling on a road without lane markings and the number of lanes is reduced, they must merge by giving way to any vehicle that is ahead of them. However a driver who is moving from one lane, marked by broken lines (whether or not the lane is ending) to another must give way to any vehicle already travelling in the same direction.

5. KEEPING LEFT: On roads with a speed limit of more than 80km/h, motorists must not drive in the right-hand lane unless overtaking, turning right or making a U-turn, avoiding an obstacle or driving in congested traffic. If a ‘Keep Left Unless Overtaking’ sign is displayed, then you must keep left regardless of the speed limit.

6. HEADLIGHT AND FOG LIGHT USE: High beam is not permitted if travelling less than 200 metres behind a car going in the same direction or less than 200 metres from an oncoming vehicle. It is an offence to flash the vehicle’s headlights unless the vehicle is being used to respond to an emergency. A driver is only permitted to use fog lights if driving in fog, mist or other atmospheric condition that restricts visibility.

7. U-TURNS: When making a U-turn a driver must have a clear view of any approaching traffic and give way to all vehicles and pedestrians. Drivers are not allowed to make a U-turn across: a) a single continuous dividing line; b) a single continuous dividing line to the left of a broken line; c) two parallel continuous dividing lines.

8. SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE: Drivers should stay three seconds behind vehicles in front of them. In poor conditions such as rain, gravel roads or dim light, it may be necessary to increase the travelling distance to four seconds to increase the crash avoidance space.

9. SCHOOL ZONES: A school zone is the area around a school with a speed limit of 40km/h normally from 8am to 9.30am and between 2.30pm and 4pm on school days. Details on NSW gazetted school days can be located here. There are a small number of non-standard school zone times in NSW. These zones are identified by red/orange school zone signs which indicate non-standard times. Signs at these schools display the times which apply.

10. YELLOW TRAFFIC LIGHTS: A driver approaching traffic lights showing a yellow traffic light must stop if they can do so safely. Penalties apply for drivers who fail to stop at a yellow light, unless it is unsafe to do so.

How did you go? Do many NSW drivers misunderstand these rules?

GO WITH THE FLOW: To try and improve traffic congestion, the NSW Government are legalising lane filtering in a section of the CBD for the next few months. Do you think this is a good idea? Image: www.autoblog.com

From 1 February until 1 May this year, it will be legal for motorcyclists to ride through stationary traffic at intersections in parts of the Sydney CBD.

This practice of moving between stationary vehicles is known as Lane Filtering.

“Lane filtering is currently against the law, however there will be an exemption for motorcyclists in part of the CBD, which will permit them to filter through traffic when vehicles are stopped at traffic lights,” said Roads Minister Mr Duncan Gay.

Mr Gay is using the three-month trial to test if motorbike lane filtering improves traffic flow. Lane Filtering will be confined to the areas bordered by Sussex and Market Streets, St James Road, Macquarie and Alfred Streets and Hickson Road.

Although the practice is legal in other countries such as the United Kingdom and much of mainland Europe, Mr Gay wants to find strong evidence it works here before making any changes to road rules.

“This trial is not about favouring one road user group over another, it is a system which could benefit all motorists in the CBD. It needs to be tested to ensure it improves traffic flow while not jeopardising road safety,” said Mr Gay.

Conditions for motorcyclists:

• Specific conditions will include taking extra care when filtering near buses, no filtering on the left in the kerbside left lane or dedicated turning lanes, and riders must stop at the intersection stop-line.

• Lane splitting will not be allowed – this involves motorcyclists weaving through moving traffic instead of stationary traffic.

What do you think of Lane Filtering as an idea to improve traffic flow?

Road trips make for amazing family experiences and memories. In my family we’re known for just jumping in the car and driving for a spontaneous day out, as well as planned long road trips interstate or through the countryside.

A road trip isn’t the time to rush. Making plenty of stops is vital for safety and also, as parents around the country know, spending a little time keeping the kids happy will pay off during the long driving stretches.

Here’s how to make a rest stop work for the whole family:

Anyone on a road trip with children will attest to how difficult it is to drive past a country town’s local playground without dozens of requests to stop for a play.

Try timing meals and scheduled rests with towns likely to have playgrounds, and perhaps incorporate a picnic lunch with a play stop. If there aren’t any parks around (or if that isn’t your kids’ thing) grab a football, cricket bat or a kite, or even just have a family race on a local oval. Even a half an hour play means the kids will thank you – and you’ll be pleased you took the time to keep them happy.

It’s pretty tiring being in the same seat for an entire road trip, so if you have a long way to go you’ll need to give the navigator and music selector a break. I mean, the driver. The driver!

Seriously, the exhaustion of focusing on the road can creep up on drivers so you need to set a time limit on yourself rather than wait to feel the need to change gears from the pilot to the passenger. NRMA recommends stopping at least every two hours to avoid fatigue setting in.

If you don’t have anyone to share the driving with you’ll need to counteract the fatigue even more proactively. Some drivers are happy to take a quick power nap at rest stops, while others won’t have this option (when travelling with kids). In that case, sleep stops will mark the end of the day and a place to stay, and it’s time to get a good night’s sleep before heading off the next day.

My husband prides himself on knowing the towns with the best bakeries, his specialty being great coffee, a good pie and a donut. Whether that suits your tastebuds or you’d prefer a fresh salad roll or a great café meal, stopping for food regularly is one of the best things you can do to rejuvenate the driver and keep the passengers satisfied.

Keep snacks in the car for in between meal stops – there isn’t a recipe for a miserable road trip truer than a backseat full of hungry kids – and make sure you let the family know when stops are planned so they can gear up their tastebuds for that perfect country bakery.

One tip, however: avoid rich foods and big milk drinks if you still have lots of driving ahead. No more details needed, just trust me on that one.

When my daughter was eight months old, we embarked on a road trip from Melbourne to Alice Springs. She was crawling around at the time – not a developmental stage conducive to being placed on the red dirt of the outback – and so we took to taking ‘dance stops’.

The dancing stop involves pulling to the side of the road, getting everyone out of the car and leaving the doors open. Then the music is cranked up and you dance with the kids; the young ones are spun around in your arms, and any older kids shake their thing alongside you. An amazing way to boost the fun mood of a road trip and get rid of any excess energy, and it also means you don’t have to push on to the next town before stopping for a break, which NRMA lists as one of the biggest potential dangers of country driving.

Choose some things you want to stop and see along the way, and combine this with some spontaneous stops to see the sights.

This will not only get you out of the car – perhaps for a short walk, an exciting new sight, or even just a few snaps on the camera – but also keep you excited about the reason you’re out on the road. That is, to see new things and enjoy the experience. It’s easy to get caught up in getting the kilometres behind you, but don’t forget to stop and refresh the whole family with some views of our amazing countryside.

GUARDIAN ANGEL: Flashing lights on the dash and an audible warning tell the driver to take action (thanks to Ford for the Forward Collision Warning illustration).

Collision Warning

Wouldn’t it be great if we all had a guardian angel on our shoulder, checking us all the time we’re driving to make sure all is well?

Collision Warning is a sort of like a guardian angel. It monitors the distance to the vehicle in front using cameras and/or sensors, and continuously calculates if a collision is imminent. It then warns the driver, usually with flashing lights on the dash and an audible warning, that action needs to be taken. The system only warns you – it doesn’t apply the brakes like Active Cruise Control or auto-brake (see below) – so you have to be on the ball or you may be too late to avoid a collision.

In heavy traffic, the warnings can be frequent and may become annoying, to the extent that drivers switch the system off, which defeats the purpose. It is also called Forward Collision Warning System.

Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBS)

AEBS is an extension of collision warning. It uses cameras or other sensors to monitor vehicles in front, warns the driver, then applies the brakes if it detects an imminent collision and the driver takes no action. While the systems will only avoid a collision below a specific closing speed, at higher speeds it can at least reduce the impact speed, and therefore vehicle damage and possible injury.

It is helpful if you are momentarily distracted or if something unexpected happens in front of you. Similarly to Forward Collision Warning, if it triggers too often drivers may switch it off. Manufacturers have a range of brand names for such systems, including City Safety, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake, EyeSight, and Pre-Safe Brake.

It will become mandatory in Europe for new heavy vehicles from 2013.

What’s your experience with Collision Warning Technology and Autonomous Emergency Braking Systems? Are they features you like?