Following the letter of the law on the roads helps to maintain safety for both drivers and pedestrians. Many people are familiar with the most common rules and are able to abide by them without any difficulties whatsoever.
However, there are several grey areas where traffic laws are not always so clear-cut. For example, it can be difficult to know which laws apply to the driveway of the house. This guide covers some of the lesser-known laws which are applicable to driveways.
Give Way To Pedestrians
By law, pedestrians have the right of way on footpaths and pavements. When exiting the driveway it is important to make sure that anyone who is walking by has enough space to safely carry on walking without having to step into the road. Damaged driveways can make exiting difficult and put pedestrians at risk. North Shore Paving is a driveway specialist which can fix any problems that occur.
Stepping into the road can put people at risk of being hit by cars which may be coming from behind or in front of them.
Don’t Block The Road With The Car
Sometimes a driveway may be too small to accommodate a car properly. If this is the case, then the car might stick out into the road and cause an illegal obstruction. An obstruction could lead to serious accidents if oncoming drivers are caught unawares.
To avoid accidents, make sure that the car fits on the driveway without the front or back end sticking into the road. Alternatively, park the car safely by the side of the road if there is not enough space. Cars by the side of the road should have their wing-mirrors turned inwards to give oncoming traffic as much room as possible.
If the driveway is too damaged for a car to rest on, it is time for asphalt repairs in Sydney.
Don’t Reverse If It Is Unsafe To Do So
Reversing into traffic without having a clear view is counted as a motoring offense. Make sure that trees and hedges are always kept fully trimmed so that there is a clear view of the road. If the driveway is at an angle which makes it difficult to see traffic whilst reversing, then the car should always be parked with the front facing towards the road.
If possible, have a passenger or pedestrian direct the car safely when reversing from the driveway. Using an extra pair of eyes will make reversing much easier because they will be able to signal if there is any oncoming traffic or other potential obstacles in the way.
Don’t Obstruct The Number Plate With A Bike Rack
Driving on the road with an obscured number plate is a motoring offense which many people will be aware of. However, people may not know that it is still technically an offense to keep the plate covered whilst the car is stationary on the driveway.
Make sure that the number plate is kept visible at all times and is not obscured by equipment such as bike racks. Damaged or soiled number plates should be replaced as soon as possible to avoid any trouble with the police.
Follow this guide to understand laws of the road which apply to driveways.