Editor South Australia Police Phone (08) 8207 6587

Email sapol.roadsafetysection@police.sa.gov.au www.police.sa.gov.au

Issue 3

September 2016

Road Safety

presentations for the

2015-16 Financial Year

The Road Safety Section (RSS) continues to deliver quality Road Safety education across South Australia without cost to the public and with regard to the best practice principles of Road Safety. The RSS continues our successful relationship with the Motor Accident Commission (MAC) in delivering the following Road Safety sessions during the 2015-16 fiscal year: - 856 sessions in schools. This included

228 sessions of the Introduction to Road Safety at the Road Safety Centre where primary and pre-primary children are introduced to using the road system safely. There were 338 crossing monitor training sessions at primary schools to authorise monitors to operate School Crossings safely. At secondary schools there were 290 sessions delivered (89 sessions for Year 10 to assist students to obtain their learners and probationary licence;

7 sessions for Year 10 in Road Safety Science for student to understand the forces at work in crashes; 145 sessions for Year 11 directed at the choices, risks and consequences in being a road user when students are driving for the first time and 49 sessions for Year 12 students to discuss road safety further just as drivers are leaving school). 5 sessions were conducted directed at

people who are supervising learner drivers

98 Business Driver Awareness programs for people who drive as part of their work .

38 sessions targeted at senior road users and the challenges for these road users as they get older.

50 sessions delivered to country football leagues in partnership with the SANFL about the responsible use of alcohol and using the road system safely.

34 sessions completed for neighbourhood watch groups, service clubs and car clubs discussing road safety topics.

15 TAFE & Apprentice systems as an introduction to driving safely at work.

70 Road Safety Displays, Voluntary Breath Testing Stations and Mock Crashes.

To book a Road Safety session with the SAPOL Road Safety Section Phone 82076585 or email sapol.roadsafetysection@police.sa.gov.au

SC1C Ian Gregor answers a Road Safety inquiry at a Road Safety Display at Castle Plaza.

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Motorcycle helmets – new ECE standard

New rules have been introduced regarding what helmet you are allowed to use when riding a motorcycle on South Australian Roads. You are able to use a helmet with any one of the following prescribed standards:- (a) Australian Standard 1698-1988— Protective helmets for vehicle users (AS 1698-1988); (b) Australian/New Zealand Standard 1698:2006– Protective helmets for vehicle users(AS/NZS 1698:2006) (c) The new standard included is effective as of 28th April 2016. It is the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation No 22 Uniform provisions concerning the approval of protective helmets and their visors for drivers and passengers of motor cycles and mopeds, incorporating the 05 series of amendments, (ECE 22.05), as in force from time to time. All helmets must still display an ECE or Australian Standards Conformance Mark to Comply with the Australian Road Rules. Here is an example of the Conformance Mark from this new category:-

The Road Safety Section is asked from time to time about the rules relative to keeping left on our roads and a related topic of tail-gating vehicles. Rule 129 of the Australian Road Rules (ARR) imposes the obligation to drive as near as practicable to the far left side of the single laned road but does not include motor bikes or on road related areas (expiation fee $292 + victims of crime $60 = $352 for 1 demerit point). Rule 130 ARR deals with keeping left on a multi-lane road (expiation fee $247 + victims of crime $60 = $307 for 2 demerit points). This rule applies when there is a speed limit over 80 km/h (it does not include an 80 km/h speed limit) or a keep left unless overtaking sign applies to a length of road (and there is an end of keep left unless overtaking sign).

Requirement to keep left on roads and not tailgate other vehicles

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The driver must not drive in the right lane unless—

(a) the driver is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving a right change of direction signal; or

(b) the driver is overtaking; or (c) a left lane must turn left sign or left

traffic lane arrows apply to any other lane and the driver is not turning left; or

(d) the driver is required to drive in the

right lane or (e) the driver is avoiding an obstruction;

or (f) the traffic in each other lane is

congested; or (g) the traffic in every lane is

congested; or (h) the right lane is a special purpose

lane in which the driver, under another provision of the Australian Road Rules, is permitted to drive; or

(i) there are only 2 marked lanes and

the left lane is a slow vehicle turn out lane.

It should be noted that this rule does not increase the speed limit in the right lane past the posted limit.

It should be noted that on 80km/h roads or less on multiple lane roadways these rules do not apply without these signs being displayed. Tail gating on all roads is an issue but particularly so on most multi-lane roads where rear end collisions are featured prominently in road crashes with them accounting for around ¼ of all crashes. This is an offence under Rule 126 of the ARR (expiation fee $320 + victims of crime $60 = $380 for 1 demerit point). “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.” If you have a vehicle tailgating you do not increase speed, but decrease it and move over to the left lane when safe to do so. Stopping distances for motor vehicles increase dramatically for higher speeds. Remember this chart in relation to your stopping distances when travelling at these speeds.

The rule to consider is the 3 second rule where you pick an object that the car you are following passes and then count how long it takes you to pass the same spot. To be safe, in good driving conditions it should be a count of 3 (about 3 seconds).

Requirement to keep left on roads and not tailgate other vehicles...

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Robots on the Road?

Picture yourself in the busy business district of your city. You phone for an ‘Uber’ ride. You see the vehicle approach and stop. Imagine your surprise when there is not a driver in the vehicle. This scenario is similar to the ‘Total Recall’ movie you may have watched which looked to show the future - but this future may be here earlier than you realise. In Pittsburgh, USA this scenario may be happening as early as the next year when ‘Uber’ will have an automated vehicle available for hire. Dubai in the United Arab Emirates will probably follow shortly afterwards. This new technology is being highlighted by some governments with the South Australian Government wanting it as an economic boost for industry in this state. So what would it mean for you are a road-user?

Proponents of automated vehicles say that there will be benefits as well for safer roads. New legislation will be needed so that grey areas such as who has the responsibility in relation to the vehicle, for instance how do we define who is a driver in these new vehicles? How do we regulate seat-belt use or having children restrained correctly? What rules apply when the vehicle has an emergency requiring intervention by an occupant – where do the computer controls end and the human driver start? Our road systems may have to be altered so that they can cope with these vehicles with imbedded electronic devices so that vehicle can navigate through the road system. Sweden is in the process of testing some Volvo cars with this technology which includes the vehicle parking itself after delivering their passengers to their destination. The Volvo will look for and park in a vacant car-park at the location.

Autonomous cars may make possible such benefits for road users as:

Avoid traffic collisions (and resulting deaths and injuries and costs) caused by human driver errors such as reaction time, tail gating, rubber necking and other forms of distracted or aggressive driving.

Reduction in labor costs if human driver isn't required.

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Increased roadway capacity and reduced traffic congestion due to reduced need for safety gaps and the ability to better manage traffic flow.

Relief of vehicle occupants from driving and navigation chores.

Higher speed limit for autonomous cars.

Removal of constraints on occupant’s state – in an autonomous car, it would not matter if the occupants were under age, over age, unlicensed, blind, distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise impaired.

Reduction of physical space required for vehicle parking, and vehicles will be able to drive where space is not scarce.

Reduction in the need for traffic police and premium on vehicle insurance.

Reduction of physical road signage – autonomous cars could receive necessary communication electronically (although physical signs may still be required for any human drivers.

Smoother ride without excessive braking or accelerating.

Reduction in car theft, due to the vehicle's increased awareness.

Increased ergonomic flexibility in the cabin, due to the removal of the steering wheel and remaining driver interface, as well as no occupant needing to sit in a forward-facing position.

Increased ease-of-use of large vehicles such as motorhomes.

Increased time in daily leisure activities

or work productivity with the

replacement of commuting hours.

Pokemon searches

Pokemon Go has become a phenomenal global success with more than 30 million players using phone GPS and cameras to travel around catching cartoon characters. Recently, police have been receiving reports of people driving slowly and generally creating a nuisance with their eyes on their mobile phones obviously engaging in this pastime. It is incumbent on all drivers to not be distracted by these electronic devices whilst driving as it is an offence (using a mobile phone whilst driving is a $320+$60=$380 fine and 3 demerit points). Drivers should always be in control of their vehicle and having their attention drawn to a Pokemon search means that they may commit this offence as well (this is $176 + $60 = $236 fine). Remember that taking your attention off the road for only two seconds will double your crash risk. When walking you should always be aware of your surroundings and to be distracted in the way may mean that you could be knocked down by a vehicle. If you walk without due care it is an offence ($47+$60=$107 fine). Even riding a bike using a mobile phone is an offence ($55+$60= $115 fine).