Emergency lane

[XR8-260]

Just wondering if/when we are allowed to drive in the emergency lane on the freeway. How much of an emergency does it have to be to be justified? I wasn't able to find any info on this but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough or in the right places :. Cheers.

[NA XR6]

It is against the law to drive in an emergency lane
Unless you are an emergency vehicle (police , fire , ambulance)

[Chrispy]

Are you referring to driving along at 20km/h in the lane as the traffic goes past, because you have a busted gearbox, or screaming along past the stopped traffic because your wife is giving birth?

Chrispy

[nobbystang]

Isn't it just an emergency stopping lane????

[merlin]

Originally Posted by nobbystang

Isn't it just an emergency stopping lane????

That is my understanding.

[vandrsxr6]

Originally Posted by nobbystang

Isn't it just an emergency stopping lane????

They may have a lane in WA on the freeway for emergancie vehicle only.

We got them in Melbourne on the Tullamarine for buses, taxis that can only be used by those vehicles during certain periods of the day.

[XR8-260]

Originally Posted by Chrispy

Are you referring to driving along at 20km/h in the lane as the traffic goes past, because you have a busted gearbox, or screaming along past the stopped traffic because your wife is giving birth?

Chrispy

I meant using it as an additional lane when there is a traffic jam because of an emergency. Would it still be illegal in such circumstances? i.e. wife giving birth, diarrhoea etc.

[XR8-260]

Originally Posted by nobbystang

Isn't it just an emergency stopping lane????

Yes that's correct. That's what I meant.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Id have to agree with NA XR6. Illegal unless you an emergency vehicle (Police, Fire, Ambulance). Apart from that its an emergency stopping lane for if you get a flat etc. I hate people who use it as a lane to get around traffic jams!

There is a bad part of the Monash freeway (carpark) I travel each day that gets clogged and people use the emergancy lane because they want to go up the next off ramp. Quite often the cops are there catching people. Then I have to laugh.

[Tuddy200]

However if it is a gueine emergency then i ould see no problem with it, as long as you are doing so in a safe manner. If you having to do so in an un-safe manner wouldn't you just call the emergency services anyway and let them handle the sitiuation. Otherwise it isn't warranted!

[LTDHO]

In Vic it is for emergency use only.

Aparently motorbikes are allowed (end sarcasm)

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by G.J.Tuddy

However if it is a gueine emergency then i ould see no problem with it, as long as you are doing so in a safe manner. If you having to do so in an un-safe manner wouldn't you just call the emergency services anyway and let them handle the sitiuation. Otherwise it isn't warranted!

WORLDWIDE: NOT to be used just to get ahead.
A similar scenario plays when a direction of freeway/motorway traffic is stopped. Here, you MAY NOT do a U-Turn contrary to a sign, OR by barging through the median scrub. Penalty applies, BIG penalty if you action involves trauma through negligence. POLICE will adjust traffic flow when required to clear a road, delays in this instance are a fact of life. Where their is death or potential of it, police will generally NOT allow traffic to proceed ahead.

IF your going to use it under an emergency, birth etc, proceed with your left indicator on, OR with hazard warning lights (ARR221) and drive at a very slow speed 20 - 50km/h maximum. Stop at a phone booth or emergency service personnel up ahead, or to the end.

OTHERWISE ONLY be used for breakdowns, or to move vehicles to the side following a crash.

The ARR on the matter reflects the UN Convention on Road Traffic, Road Signs and Signals.

[Fryday]

I'm getting tired of watching people pass in the "emergency lane" in Perth. Clearly they think they more important than everyone else's and their time is worth more then ours. In the last 6 months I've seen people in everything from an SS to a small truck do it.

I have also seen a bloke in a VS ute clean up an EL in the emergency lane with both occupants of the ute taken to hospital and the driver of the EL the luckiest man alive after diving for safety and just escaping being crushed.

IMO, they should be given 12 months to have a think about their driving attitude before being allowed back behind the wheel to risk anyone elses life. If they're doing crazy things like this, what else are they doing??

[Hunter]

I saw an episode of Motorway Patrol from NZ recently where some crazy Asian dude got pulled over by a patrolman because he was driving up the emergency lane in his toy truck to get around the traffic. He went right off and abused the cop and then proceeded to tell the cop that he was going to continue doing it in future. Stupid git, I hope he drives into a parked truck or something. Might teach him not to drive up there.

[coupdy do]

Keep out thats my traffic jam lane :laugh:
Lately trucks try and block me out so i just drive around them off road style.

[coupdy do]

Which part of the road don't we pay for? its ok for Olympic games cars to drive down em why are they safer than me?

[kiwikid10]

Originally Posted by coupdy do

Which part of the road don't we pay for? its ok for Olympic games cars to drive down em why are they safer than me?

Dude the Olympics were 7 years ago! (What Olympics games cars are you talking about)? :
Best be getting that Delorean of yours fixed and come back to the future!

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by coupdy do

Lately trucks try and block me out so i just drive around them off road style.

Here in NSW and the Hornsby local court recently we had a chap who did similar in the median of the F3 at Berowra, except he also used the emergency lane to continue same manner.

Serious charges, loss of license, 3 month goal and a small fine in the order a few hundred dollars, according the the Central Coast Express Advocate.

These events do happen often enough.

[aussiblue]

See the WA Road traffic Code 2000 here http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/statutes/swans.nsf (choose A-Z Browse regulations by Section) or here http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/w...eg/rtc2000113/

150. Stopping in an emergency stopping lane
The driver of a vehicle (other than a bicycle) shall not stop in a lane to which an emergency stopping lane only sign applies, unless:

(a) the condition of the driver, a passenger or the driver's vehicle, or any other factor, makes it necessary or desirable for the driver to stop in the emergency stopping lane in the interests of safety, and the driver stops for no longer than is necessary in the circumstances; or

(b) the driver's vehicle is permitted to stop in the emergency stopping lane under these regulations.

Modified penalty: 1 PU Emergency stopping lane only sign

76. Emergency stopping lane only signs
The driver of a vehicle (other than a bicycle) shall not drive in a lane to which an emergency stopping lane only sign applies unless the driver needs to drive in the emergency stopping lane to avoid a collision, to stop in the lane in accordance with regulation 150, or because the driver's vehicle is disabled.

Points: 2 Modified penalty: 3 PU Emergency stopping lane only sign


188. Using hazard warning lights

(1) The driver of a motor vehicle fitted with hazard warning lights shall not use the hazard warning lights, or allow them to be used, unless:

(a) the vehicle is stopped and is obstructing, or is likely to obstruct, the path of other vehicles or pedestrians;

(b) the vehicle is a slow-moving vehicle and is obstructing, or is likely to obstruct, the path of other vehicles or pedestrians;

(c) the vehicle is stopped in an emergency stopping lane;

..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This is not an authorised version. The only authorised version is the hardcopy (printed) version published under authority of the Government Printer, available from the State Law Publisher, 10 William St Perth W.A. 6000.

[coupdy do]

Originally Posted by kiwikid10

Dude the Olympics were 7 years ago! (What Olympics games cars are you talking about)? :
Best be getting that Delorean of yours fixed and come back to the future!

Ok the Friken Commonwealth games smart **** why don't you go back to Enzed oh thats right its a **** hole :

[XR06T]

hahaha coupdy you crack me up.. :

[Hunter]

Enzed? Isn't that a flexible hose company?? used: