Victorian motorists are required to follow a set of new road rules from July 1. According to these new rules, cyclists face an on the spot fine if they use their mobile phone.
Motorists have to give way to cyclists riding across crossings at green bicycle crossing light.
The new rules permit riding a bicycle and driving coaches in bus lanes.
A coach is defined as a motor vehicle used to convey passengers for hire or reward or in the course of trade or business which is greater than 9.5 metres in length.
The latest changes now permit motorists to drive vehicles with empty bike carriers attached to the rear of the vehicles, which was earlier prohibited.
The rule imposing fine for using mobile phone extends to a person travelling in or on a wheeled recreational device or driving a vehicle that is not a motor vehicle. The restrictions on the use of mobile phone are the same as for full license holders driving a motor vehicle.
These changes are in addition to the recent introduction of speed restriction for vehicles passing emergency response vehicles requires motorists to slow down to 40 kmph.
Vic Roads says the rules are based on the model Australian Road Rules which are the single national set of road rules agreed by all jurisdictional Ministers.
But there were concerns about the lack of notice before these new rules came into effect.
“These changes came into effect only days after being announced and did not give road users enough time to absorb the changes,” Dave Jones, RACV Roads and Traffic Manager told News Corp.
The new rules allow refrigerated food transport vehicles to be left running for the purpose of food safety.
And the rules pertaining to the use of Loading Zone have also been amended. This rule requires goods carrying vehicles to only use loading zone to pick up or drop off goods.
