HOW to use indicators

Changing Lanes And Merging Changing Lanes

When you change lanes, you must give way to any vehicle in the lane you are moving into. This rule applies even if your lane is ending, and you have to cross a lane line.

Don’t take risks when changing lanes. Before you change lanes, you must indicate for long enough to give warning to other road users.

You must turn off your indicator after you have changed lanes or merged.

Merging

There are 2 different give way rules for merging. Merging on roads that have lane markings.

1. On roads where there are lanes marked on the road—if your lane comes to an end, you must give way to traffic already in the lane you are moving to. In this example, Vehicle A (white) must give way to Vehicle B (yellow). Merging on roads that don't have lane markings.

2. On roads where there are no lanes marked on the road—when lines of traffic merge, you must give way to any vehicle that is ahead of you. In this example, Vehicle B (yellow) must give way to Vehicle A (white).

Lines of traffic refers to adjacent rows of vehicles that do not have a lane separation line between them.

Merging safely on motorways

• Plan your route before you enter a motorway.

• Build up speed to match that of the traffic already on the motorway—this can help you to find a safe gap in the traffic.

• Look for a gap between the vehicles in the closest lane and safely build up speed on the on-ramp so you enter at the motorway traffic’s speed.

• When driving on a motorway, watch for other vehicles entering from an on-ramp and adjust your speed and/or lane to allow them to enter safely.

• Be ready and in the correct lane as your exit approaches. If you miss your exit, continue to the next exit.

Giving Way

Did you know if you fail to give way, you may get fined and be given demerit points.

Roundabouts

Who gives way at a roundabout?

When approaching a roundabout, you must give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

When to turn off a multi-lane roundabout

You can position your car to be in the correct lane at a roundabout by looking for signs, lane markings and arrows when approaching the roundabout.

Unless traffic lane arrows indicate otherwise, if you want to:

• turn left, use the left lane.

• turn right, use the right lane.

• go straight ahead, use either lane.

Turning Left

Turning left at a roundabout

1. Position your vehicle in the left lane, unless arrows on the road or signs indicate otherwise.

2. Use your left indicator as you approach and enter the roundabout.

3. Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

4. Remain in the left lane as you complete your turn.

5. Continue to use your left indicator as you exit the roundabout.

6. Stop indicating once you have exited the roundabout.

TURNING RIGHT OR U-TURNS

Turning right or making a U-turn at a roundabout

1. Position your vehicle in the right lane unless arrows on the road or signs indicate otherwise.

2. Use your right indicator as you approach and enter the roundabout.

3. Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

4. Before exiting, use your left indicator and follow the exit lane marking.

5. Stop indicating once you have exited the roundabout.

Never turn right from the left lane unless arrows on the road indicate that you can.

Going Straight Ahead

Going straight ahead through a roundabout

1. Position your vehicle in either lane unless the arrows on the road or signs indicate otherwise.

2. There is no need to use your indicator until you are ready to exit the roundabout.

3. Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

4. Before exiting, use your left indicator and follow the exit lane marking.

5. Stop indicating once you have exited the roundabout. Another way of looking at roundabouts

Turns that occur at roundabouts can be described by imagining the roundabout to be a clock face.

• Any turn that exits the roundabout before 12 o'clock can be considered a left turn.

• Any turn that exits the roundabout after 12 o'clock can be considered a right turn.

• Straight ahead at a roundabout is taken to be at half-way around or at 12 o'clock.

The Queensland Road Rules uses the terms 'less than half-way round' and 'more than half-way around'.