Trucks come in all shapes and sizes, and handle differently from cars. To safely travel on the road with trucks, drivers need to be aware of their visibility, stopping distances and safe methods for overtaking heavy vehicles. Show Blind spotsA blind spot is where a driver loses sight of other vehicles. Know where a truck driver's blind spots are and take steps to avoid them. Truck driver's blind spots are:
Move to a position well in front of or behind the truck, where the driver can see you. Stopping distancesTrucks, because they are bigger and heavier than cars, take longer to stop safely. Do not cut in front of a truck while it is slowing down to stop. A truck travelling at 60 k/ph takes 10 metres longer to come to a complete stop than a car. At 100 k/ph, the truck takes almost 30 metres longer than a car to come to a complete stop. When driving on a road marked with lane lines, you must keep your vehicle entirely within a lane. It is an offence to straddle a lane line except when passing a bicycle rider to give them the required room. Changing lanesWhen changing from one lane to another you must:
If you need to change lanes in order to turn left or right, or for any other purpose, change lanes well in advance to give yourself ample opportunity to turn with safety. see Giving Way when Changing Lanes Continuous lane linesOn a multi-lane road, you must not cross or drive on a continuous white lane line, except to avoid an obstruction, or, to allow the required room to safely overtake a bicycle rider. This does not apply to the lines separating bus lanes or bicycle lanes, or the lines separating a road from a road-related area such as a parking bay. Bus lanesA bus lane is a lane denoted by signs, which is for the exclusive use of buses, emergency vehicles, bicycle riders and taxi drivers during the times stated in the signs. If there are no times stated it applies at all times. While the bus lane is in operation, you must not:
In each case the maximum distance you may drive in the bus lane is 100 metres. Only public buses or emergency vehicles can use a "Bus Only" lane. Bus Only LaneBus Only lanes start with the road painted with a red box with the words "Bus Only" in white. This is repeated every 200 metres. Between the red "Bus Only" boxes a "Bus Only" lane will be shown as a continuous red line alongside the white lane line marking. Only a public bus, or emergency vehicle can travel in a Bus Only Lane. The Bus Only Lane document (PDF, 2209 KB) has more information about Bus Only Lanes. Bicycle lanesA bicycle lane is a lane indicated by a bicycle lane sign and lane line for the exclusive use of bicycle riders during the times stated on the signs. If there are no times stated, it applies at all times. Bicycle Lanes may be coloured green where there is a greater potential for conflict between motor vehicles and bicycles. While the bicycle lane is in operation, you must not:
In each case the maximum distance you may drive in the bicycle lane is 50 metres providing you indicate and give way to bicycle riders. Edge linesYou may only cross a continuous edge line including a line that separates where vehicles park when:
Reversing
When you reverse:
Driving on footpathsYou must not ride or drive on a footpath except to enter or leave, by the shortest practicable route, adjacent property or a road-related area. When crossing a road-related area to enter or leave a road you must give way to any vehicle on the road, any pedestrian on the road and any other vehicle ahead of the driver's vehicle or approaching from the left or right. Watch out for bicycle riders riding on footpaths. Driving on a traffic islandYou cannot drive on a traffic island or median. Driving on a median stripYou must drive to the left of a median strip unless you are entering or leaving a median strip parking area or you are required to drive to the right of the median strip by a keep right sign. Driving on a dividing stripYou must not drive on a dividing strip except:
but only if it is safe to do so and you have a clear view of the road. Driving on a painted islandYou must not drive over a painted island however, you may drive on or over a single continuous line surrounding a painted island for up to 50 metres:
However, you must give way to any vehicle that is in the turning lane or entering the turning lane from the marked lane or line of traffic immediately to the left of the turning lane. Which road users are allowed in the bus lane Vic?The new bus lane operates from 6am to 7pm Monday to Friday. Buses, taxis, hire cars, bicycles, emergency vehicles and motorcycles are permitted to travel in a bus lane. Vehicles are permitted to enter a bus lane if they are within 100 metres of undertaking a turn.
Can trucks be the right lane?Trucks are permitted to travel in the right lane to avoid an obstruction on the road only for the time it takes to clear the obstruction (for example, debris) and if it is safe to do so. Trucks are not permitted to travel outside of the 2 left lanes even if traffic is slow or stopped.
Can semi trucks drive in the left lane in Florida?Trucks are restricted from the left or inside travel lane, leaving it specifically for automobile traffic. Tour buses and recreational vehicles (RVs) are not considered commercial trucks and are allowed to travel in the left or inside travel lane.
Who is allowed to use a T3 lane without restriction Victoria?Transit lanes: T2 and T3
For example, a T2 lane must have a driver and at least one other occupant whereas a T3 lane must have a driver and at least two other occupants. T2 and T3 lanes can usually be used by cyclists, motorcyclists and buses, too.
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