Just six days from now a new set of road rules will become law in New South Wales. The only problem is that the NSW government has not bothered to make the public aware of the changes.
It sounds like another government attempt at revenue raising. Some of the new requirements attract a fine in excess of four hundred dollars - and three demerit points. Ignorance of the law is no legal defence - but in the absence of any advertising campaign the police will have a field day handing out tickets.
One new provision will certainly be controversial. The new law provides for a painted section of road in the left lane where a two lane section is intersected by traffic lights.
Cyclists are permitted to weave through stationary traffic stopped at these lights and to take up station at the head of the queue. When the lights turn green whatever number assembled may proceed as a group, reducing following traffic to the speed of bicycles.
It will be an offence - punishable by a heavy fine and demerit points - for any motorist to encroach on that painted zone, whether or not cyclists are present.
Without prior advertising the vast majority of motorists will not have a clue what that painted zone represents - nor be aware that they are required to stop short of it rather than proceed to the normal stopping area level with the lights.
The government is usually heavy handed with advertising extolling what it is doing for the public. It seems strange that a change in traffic rules is not being awarded the same treatment - but then gathering revenue by way of fines seems to have greater interest to this government than road safety.
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