Giving way, roundabouts and intersections in South Australia

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain what 'give way' means when the other road user is moving or stopped.
• You can apply the rules at Stop and Give Way signs, T-intersections and uncontrolled crossroads.
• You can approach, signal and exit single-lane and multi-lane roundabouts correctly.
• You can give way correctly when turning right, using a slip lane, changing lanes or merging.

What you need to know and understand

• Giving way means staying stopped if the other road user is stopped, or slowing and stopping if needed to avoid a collision.
• At a Stop sign you must stop at the line, then give way. At a Give Way sign you only stop if needed.
• On the terminating road of a T-intersection you give way to all traffic on the continuing road.
• At intersections with no signs, signals or markings that are not T-intersections, give way to vehicles on your right.
• When turning right you give way to oncoming traffic, including vehicles turning left, but not to those turning left from a slip lane.
• When turning, give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are entering.
• The handbook explains hook turns only in its section for bicycle riders. As a driver, make a normal right turn unless a sign at the intersection tells you otherwise.

Roundabouts step by step

1. Choose your exit early. On a multi-lane roundabout get into the correct lane before you arrive: left lane for the first exit on the left, either lane for straight ahead unless arrows say otherwise, right lane for exits past halfway or to go all the way round.
2. Signal left if you will leave before halfway, right if after halfway. No signal is needed on approach when going straight ahead.
3. Give way to every vehicle already in the roundabout, and watch for bicycles.
4. Keep left of the central island and stay in your lane.
5. Signal left just before your exit, if practicable, so waiting drivers know where you are going.

Merging, lane changes and slip lanes

• Zip merge: where two lines of traffic become one with no lane line between them, give way to any vehicle that is ahead of you.
• Where a marked lane ends, such as the end of an overtaking lane or a freeway entry, the zip merge does not apply. The driver changing lanes gives way.
• Changing lanes: check it is safe, signal long enough, and give way to traffic in the lane you are moving into.
• Slip lanes: give way to pedestrians and bicycle riders crossing the slip lane, and to vehicles approaching from the right, including oncoming vehicles that have turned right.

Other give way situations

• Entering or leaving a driveway or car park: give way to all vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians on the road and footpath.
• U-turns: give way to everyone, except drivers coming out of a car park or driveway, who must give way to you.
• Moving off from the kerb: give way to traffic and signal for at least five seconds.
• Emergency vehicles with sirens or flashing red or blue lights: give them a clear path.
• In a built-up area, give way to a bus displaying a give way to buses sign that is signalling to pull out.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a Stop sign. You must come to a complete stop at the line even if the road looks clear.
• Cutting the corner when turning right. Pass close to and to the right of the centre point of the intersection.
• Forgetting pedestrians when turning left. Anyone crossing the road you are entering has priority.
• Treating every merge as a zip merge. Where a marked lane ends, you must give way.

Test yourself: Giving way, roundabouts and intersections in South Australia

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• High-Powered Vehicles and the U Class Licence in South Australia
• Learning to Drive in South Australia
• South Australia Health Professional Reporting