Sharing the road in Australian Capital Territory

By the end of this topic you can

• You can give cyclists the legal minimum space when overtaking.
• You can give way to pedestrians at crossings, in shared zones and when turning.
• You can respond correctly to buses pulling out and to emergency vehicles.
• You can stay safe near heavy vehicles and level crossings.
• You can reduce your risk of hitting wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk.

What you need to know and understand

• When overtaking a cyclist, leave at least 1 metre where the limit is 60 km/h or less, and at least 1.5 metres where it is over 60 km/h.
• To give that space you may cross centre lines, straddle lane lines or drive on painted islands, if you can see clearly and it is safe.
• You must give way to pedestrians and cyclists on marked pedestrian and wombat crossings, and must not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.
• In a shared zone, drivers must give way to pedestrians.
• When a stopped bus shows a give way to buses sign and signals to pull out, you must let it go if you are in the left lane.
• Make way for emergency vehicles using lights or sirens, and slow to 40 km/h or less when passing a police or emergency vehicle that is stopped or slow-moving with red or blue lights flashing.
• Report crashes involving injured wildlife to Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Cyclists and motorcyclists

• Check your mirror and look over your shoulder before opening a car door.
• Give way to a cyclist in a bicycle lane, including green-painted lanes at intersections.
• Cyclists may ride on the road even where a path exists, and may pass stopped traffic on the left.
• Look for bike reflectors at night, not just lights.
• Do head checks before changing lanes: motorcycles fit easily into blind spots.

Buses, light rail and heavy vehicles

Canberra has light rail as well as buses. Obey the traffic signals where roads cross the light rail line and never stop on the tracks. At any level crossing, do not enter when lights are flashing, booms are down or a train or tram is approaching.

Trucks and buses need more room to stop and turn. Never squeeze between the kerb and a long vehicle showing a do not overtake turning vehicle sign, and give them room at roundabouts.

Kangaroos and other wildlife

1. Slow down in signposted wildlife areas, especially at dawn and dusk.
2. Scan the roadsides; where you see one kangaroo, expect more.
3. If an animal is on the road, brake firmly in a straight line rather than swerving into traffic or trees.
4. After a collision, stop safely, report injured wildlife to Access Canberra, and report the crash to police.

Common mistakes

• Squeezing past a cyclist without the 1 or 1.5 metre gap instead of waiting.
• Opening the driver's door into a passing cyclist.
• Turning left across a bicycle lane without checking for riders.
• Ignoring a bus signalling to pull out from a stop.
• Swerving violently to avoid a kangaroo and losing control.

Test yourself: Sharing the road in Australian Capital Territory

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

Go deeper

• ACT Pre-Learner Course and Road Rules Test
• ACT Road Rules Handbook Study Guide