Latest news with #roadrule
The Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Do you know what this new French road sign means? Holidaymakers face £118 fine if they break key rule
A NEW road side in France this summer is threatening to impose a huge fine for holidaymakers if they break its key rule. Travellers to the country's capital may come across the sign when driving in Paris, and it should not be ignored. 2 A fine of £118 awaits motorists breaking the rules of the sign, which features a white diamond on a blue background. The sign can be seen on the eight lane Boulevard Périphérique around Paris, which is used by around one million vehicles each day. The symbol on it signifies that the left-hand lane can only be used for vehicles with passengers. Motorists caught driving alone in these lanes on the road's cameras will be issued automatic fines. It is being used in a bid to restrict car use in the capital, following changes in recent years to the Boulevard by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. Another measure was introduced last year, which reduced the speed limit to 30mph on the 22-mile motorway. Four filling stations along the stretch of road were also banned from selling diesel fuel. However, the latest road rule incurs a costly bill if not followed, requiring a payment €135, equating to around £117.50. A new control system was installed on May 2, and put live to ensure compliance with the rules. The system involves hi-tech computer-assisted video enforcement (VAO) which monitors vehicles in the far left lanes at all times. Olympics is 'stupid' for pushing athletes into poop-filled River Seine - world champs will fall ill, workers fume It can capture the number of people in each car through artificial intelligence cameras. The recordings of vehicles considered to be breach the rules are then sent to a human agent for verification, who can then issue motorists abusing the rules with a fine. Signs and enforcement for the new carpool only lanes on the ring road also started at the beginning of May. They aim to encourage commuters to travel into the city in groups of at least two, hoping to reduce congestion and emissions from vehicles. The car sharing lanes are on the far left of the four-lane carriageway in both directions of what is one of the busiest ring roads in Europe. These exclusive lanes were initially introduced for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games last summer, designated for athletes and staff to use as priority vehicles accessing the city. Hidalgo, who has launched various anti-car measures for the city, confirmed they would remain after the conclusion of the games, and instead be used for car sharing in peak congestion hours. These hours 7am to 10:30am and 4pm to 8pm on weekdays. On weekends and public holidays, all lanes are open to any vehicle. Public transport operators, emergency service vehicles, taxis, and cars for people with reduced mobility are also permitted to use the carpool lanes at any time. President of Automobile Association, Edmund King, told the Daily Mail: "Britons driving to Paris this summer might be forgiven for not understanding a new addition to French road signs – the diamond with a blue background. "Some might think it is a sign to the 'diamond district' in Paris, which is around Place Vendôme and Rue de la Paix, but it is not - it is a sign denoting a car sharing lane."
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Little-known road rule benefiting EV drivers prompts reminder to Aussies
Australians are being reminded of a little-known road rule specifically benefiting electric vehicle drivers. Online this week, Aussies in a community group shared that in the ACT and NSW, EVs are allowed to drive in the transit lanes, regardless of how many occupants are in the car. This is at odds with typical rules that state there must be two or sometimes three people in the car, and many responding said they didn't know about the transit lane exemption. "Never knew about it," one person said. "I had no idea," commented another. Transit lanes — marked as T2 or T3 — are designed to reduce congestion and encourage more efficient travel by prioritising vehicles carrying multiple people. T2 lanes require at least two occupants, while T3 lanes require three or more. They operate during peak hours or as signed, and vehicles such as buses, taxis, motorcycles and bicycles can use them freely regardless of passenger numbers. Drivers not meeting the minimum occupant requirement can only enter transit lanes briefly, typically up to 100 metres, to overtake or turn. But in NSW and the ACT, EVs with a blue EV label on their number plates are allowed to use T2 and T3 lanes even when carrying only the driver. This exemption forms part of a government effort to encourage EV uptake by offering practical incentives. It was introduced in 2022 and was recently extended until June 30, 2027, in NSW. Other states like Queensland and Victoria do not offer similar allowances. Little-known road rule with $600 fine shocks Aussies Drivers warned major road rule change with $961 fines 'just weeks' away Common road act that carries a fine in every Aussie state Why do we have transit lanes? The point of transit lanes is to reduce traffic congestion and improve the efficiency of road networks, particularly during peak travel times. By giving priority to vehicles carrying multiple passengers, such as carpoolers, buses, taxis, and motorcycles, transit lanes aim to: Encourage ride-sharing and reduce the number of single-occupant vehicles on the road Speed up travel times for high-occupancy vehicles and public transport Lower overall emissions by cutting the number of cars on the road Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers warned major road rule change with $961 fines 'just weeks' away
Drivers are being reminded that a major road rule change is just weeks away, with penalties for breaking the law as high as $961. Millions of Aussies will be impacted by one state's move to protect roadside workers and operators of roadside assistance vehicles. From July 1, in just three weeks, motorists in Victoria will be required to ensure they are travelling at 40km/h when they pass the incident response vehicles. The rule, known as road rule 79A, is already in place for emergency services on the side of the road like police cars and ambulances. Now it's been extended to include tow trucks, mechanics and roadside assistance vehicles too. After South Australia recently made a similar change, Victoria was the only state, along with the Northern Territory, that didn't have the rule made official. Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) General Manager Makarla Cole told Yahoo News that the rule will "ensure that emergency roadside workers and tow truck drivers, regardless of who they work for, are given the same protection as other emergency workers." Those who ignore the rule will be fined for not complying with the 40km/h mandate. The standard penalty for non-compliance is $346 with a potential maximum of $961. There will be no demerit points attached to the offence, however. A recent survey by RACV revealed a startling 83 per cent of its roadside workers experience a near miss with another vehicle at least once a week. The road rule change has come after a consistent campaign from the group to bring Victoria in line with other jurisdictions. Patroller Johnny Dipietro, recently spoke out about the dangerous conditions he contends with while trying to do his job on busy roads. "I had a vehicle that almost hit me and I'll tell you what, it was really scary," he said. He's not the only one. Incident responder Steven Bevens said close calls were an "everyday occurrence for our staff" when pulled over on the shoulder of a busy road or highway. 🚗 Drivers warned as major licence change rolls out across Australia in days 🚛 Aussie truckie praises caravanners for simple road act that saves lives 🛑 Meaning behind little-known roadside marker popping up 'a lot' on Aussie roads VACC CEO Peter Jones backed the change. "With just weeks to go before the expanded Road Rule 79A takes effect on July 1, we're pleased to see the Victorian Government's commitment to roadside worker safety becoming a reality," he said. Jones said the rule change is about creating a "culture of mutual respect" on Victorian roads and encouraged all drivers on Victorian roads to "familiarise themselves" with the expanded rules ahead of July 1. "When you see those flashing lights – whether it's police, ambulance, or now our towing and roadside assistance vehicles – slow down to 40km/h. It's a simple action that could save lives," he said. He argued that roadside assistance workers are first responders too, and often the first on the scene, 'working in extremely hazardous conditions," he said, adding: "This rule change finally gives them the protection they deserve. Jones added that the rule isn't just about compliance but gives workers "vital extra seconds" to react if something goes wrong. "We urge all motorists to see this as an investment in everyone's safety," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
