Australian Road Laws

ACRS Policy Position

ACRS supports the introduction of the national road rules and road signs, on the grounds that a broad uniformity on the main issues reduces confusion and errors by drivers in unfamiliar surroundings.  Measures to introduce uniform rules that have the effect of compromising safety in particular jurisdictions should not be supported.

Objective

The objective and guiding principle should be improved safety outcomes. 

Discussion

The national road rules developed by the National Road Transport Commission have largely been implemented through State legislation.  The main exceptions are the general urban speed limit* , on which jurisdictions are moving progressively and on which practice should be made uniform, rules on school zones, and novice driver licensing requirements, including licensing age.  It has been agreed by Transport Ministers that novice driver licensing requirements are not part of the uniform package.

A national package of road rules assists ease of travel across jurisdictions, removes anomalies and confusion and has road safety benefits by removing one potential cause for crashes and 'unintended' violations. 

It is not appropriate to pursue uniformity for its own sake:  uniformity should be approached with the safety consequences in mind. 

* See separate policy statement