It has come to police attention that many drivers are failing to give way to buses at appropriate times and are also not slowing down to 40km/h when passing a bus with flashing lights operating in the city and suburbs.
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There are certain circumstances that require drivers to give way to buses that are intending to pull out into the traffic and also times when drivers must slow to 40km/h when in the vicinity of a bus with flashing lights operating.
Buses fitted with flashing lights are usually transporting children, who are still learning about risks and safety and can be unpredictable.
These laws are designed to assist bus drivers, particularly at peak times when traffic is heavy, to safely deliver passengers in a timely manner to their destination.
The rules encourage courteous driving and focus on the safety of pedestrians, passengers and other road users.
Give way to a bus in front of you - when it has stopped or is moving slowly at the far left of the road, in a bus stop, or on the shoulder of the road and has a Give Way to Buses sign, is indicating and about to enter your lane of traffic.
Many buses also have flashing lights fitted. When these are operating, drivers must slow to 40km/h from either direction as there will be children in the vicinity.
There are graduated penalties for these offences, including fines, demerit points and automatic loss of driver licence.
It is an offence also to drive too closely behind a vehicle; buses included as your view will be obstructed. These rules not only allow buses to keep to a schedule, but also ensure other road users keep a proper lookout for pedestrians, often children, who are likely to be in the vicinity.
For more information go to www.rsac.tas.gov.au/roadsafekids/ or contact Community Policing on 67773998.