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Road Safety Education

Safely Passing Parked Vehicles

When there are vehicles parked on the road, motorists must abide by the traffic code.

Here is a reminder:

A driver on a two-way carriage way without a dividing line may move to the right of the road or into the other carriageway to avoid an obstruction such as a parked car if;

  • the driver has a clear view of the approaching traffic; and
  • if it is necessary to avoid the obstruction; and
  • the driver can do so safely.

As a matter of courtesy and safety, a moving vehicle must stay behind a parked car on the left side of the road, and allow any traffic, travelling in the opposite direction to continue.

Dooring

Dooring is a serious risk for bike riders and available measures are rarely deployed. It is one of the most common crashes for riders and causes serious injury and death.

This covers opening a vehicle door, leaving a door of a vehicle open, or getting off, or out of, a vehicle. The rule also covers passengers exiting vehicles, stepping out of a bus and riders dismounting a motorcycle.

  • Get into the habit of always using your mirrors and doing a head check before opening your car door
  • Reach for the door handle with the left (inside) hand. This maneuver, known as the Dutch Reach, will twist your body slightly and make checking easier.
  • Open the door a little and look back up the road for bikes and other vehicles.
  • If clear get out of the vehicle and cross to the footpath at the rear of the car so you have a view of traffic approaching from behind.
  • Don’t be distracted by using your mobile phone.

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