Changes to traffic legislation

Artwork courtesy of Gold Coast Bulletin

On the 7th of April, new laws will come into effect requiring drivers of motor vehicles on Qld roads to keep a minimum safe distance from bicycle riders at all times. The laws make it illegal to come within 1 metre of a person riding a bicycle on any road, with this distance increasing to 1.5 metres for any road with a speed limit of more than 60km/hr. Penalties for breaching this new rule include 3 demerit points and an infringement penalty of $330, with a maximum fine of $4400.

As you can imagine, drivers are concerned about how this new law is to be applied – there is no guidance as to how this safe distance is to be measured, nor does it appear that bicycle riders are to be subject to a similar law requiring them to stay a safe distance from vehicles. This level of uncertainty is sure to be the subject of ongoing community debate.

Written by Sam Jackson, Senior Associate Lawyer, Gold Coast Traffic Lawyer / Bamberry Lawyers

 

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