WHEN DO I GIVE WAY TO BUSES?

WHEN DO I GIVE WAY TO BUSES?

You have probably noticed many public buses have a prominent ‘Give Way To Buses’ sign on the back. Giving way to buses leaving a bus stop is not just a courtesy, it is extremely worthwhile remembering that it is also an important road rule.  What this means is that when a bus with this sign has stopped on the left side of the road and is showing it is about to go again, you must give way to the bus by letting it go first.  What you will need to do is slow
down, and if necessary stop, to allow the bus a safe gap to re-enter traffic.

Under the present law (Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009), a driver in a built-up area, where the speed limit is 70kmh or less, must give way to a bus that displays a “Give Way To Buses” sign with indicator switched on when the bus is entering traffic from the left side of the road.  The penalty for failing to give way to a bus in this situation is $219 and three demerit points.  And, needless to say, it leads to an instant ‘unsuccessful’ result in your Q-Safe on-road driving test.

Points to remember:

1. This rule exists where the speed limit is 70kph or less.
2. The ‘Give Way To Buses’ sign is on the right side of the bus.  There is no legal requirement if the bus does not have this sign.
3. Buses will indicate to re-enter traffic from places including bus zones, bus stops, the road shoulder or left side of the road.
4. The rule exists when the bus driver is re-entering traffic, not changing lanes.

Also worth remembering - take special care around school buses, especially when their yellow lights are flashing. Watch out for children who may run across the road from in front or behind the bus.  Buses, like all other vehicles, are required to indicate for 5 seconds before moving off from a parked position, which includes a bus stop.