Page 563 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  561

for all children up to the age of Motorway that covers part of
seven. It is illegal to drive a the Sydney–Blue Mountains
vehicle while using a hand-held route. Melbourne has an
mobile phone, even when intricate tollway system. All
the vehicle is stopped at tollways, tunnels and
traffic lights or in heavy bridges, including
traffic. Drink-driving Sydney Harbour
laws are strictly Bridge, are cashless
enforced in Australia. and require payment
The legal blood alcohol by an electronic tag
limit is 0.05 per cent. connected to a credit
Should you be involved card, or over the phone
in an accident while over within three days of the
the alcohol limit, your toll being incurred.
vehicle insurance may Beware of Service stations are
be invalidated. Police in kangaroos sign plentiful along all the
A Caltex Woolworths petrol station country areas are just as well-travelled routes,
in Sydney vigilant as their city counterparts, but are few and far between
and random breath-tests take in the Outback. A particularly
drive vehicles attract a higher place in city and country areas. Australian and very dangerous
excess rate than standard Any accident involving injury road hazard is the prevalence
vehicles. Car hire companies will in Australia must be reported to of wildlife crossing country
not offer insurance on any off- the police within 24 hours. In highways. At night danger
road driving, regardless of the Western Australia all accidents increases when the nocturnal
vehicle type. Higher rates of must be reported and in other mammals, such as kangaroos,
insurance apply to drivers under states it is advisable to do so if wallabies and wombats, are
the age of 25. Car hire in there is considerable property more active.
Australia is often not available to damage. Always get insurance
drivers under the age of 21. details and a name, licence
number and residential address Roadside Assistance
from the other motorist. Car hire companies look after
Petrol
The city of Melbourne has breakdowns of their rental cars,
The typical cost of fuel in urban two road laws worth noting. sometimes at an extra cost, and,
areas is less than in Europe First, motorists must stop if necessary, arrange for replace-
(though it varies), but prices rise behind a stationary tram to ments. State-based motoring
considerably in remote regions. allow passengers to alight. organizations provide roadside
Prices also vary during the Second, at certain city inter- assistance for members around
week, so watch the prices and sections motorists intending the country (see p562). They
fill up when they are lower. Fuel to turn right must pull over to also provide maps and guides
is dispensed by the litre and can the left (see pp416–17). Called online and are a great source
be purchased in regular hook turns, they are designed of information on road rules
unleaded, premium unleaded, to prevent traffic queuing and conditions, and Outback
diesel and LPG (liquid petro- across tram tracks. driving. Members of motoring
leum gas) grades. Most petrol Road rules are governed by organizations in Great Britain,
stations are self-service, accept the relevant state authority. Canada and the US usually have
major credit cards and have an Each has a website with traffic reciprocal membership rights
EFTPOS facility (see p550). reports, highway conditions, with Australian organizations.
road closures and webcams.
Rules of the Road
Road Conditions
Australians drive on the left
and give way to the right in all Stretches of multi-lane high-
circumstances unless otherwise ways are found on most major
indicated. Drivers must also give routes, with the majority of
way to emergency vehicles – if other routes covered by two-
possible, pull over to the left lane highways. All are generally
when you hear a siren. The speed well sealed and signposted.
limit is 40–60 km/h (25–37 mph) Unsealed dirt roads exist in
in cities, towns and suburban country regions, but are rarely
areas and 100–110 km/h (62–68 the only means of getting to
mph) on major highways. Seat a destination. Tollways are
belts are compulsory for drivers restricted to areas in the
and passengers. Baby capsules immediate vicinity of the large Royal Automobile Association vehicle
and child restraints must be used cities, such as the Western in Adelaide