RACV road safety reminder as Victorians share most frustrating freeway driving habits

As Victorians prepare for Spring school holiday road travel, RACV is encouraging drivers to prioritise road safety and to be mindful of the road rules.

The latest results from an RACV poll reveal the most frustrating driving habits on a freeway are drivers that stay in the right lane, closely followed by not letting in merging vehicles and speeding up and then slowing down.  

RACV Head of Policy James Williams said safety on the roads must come first, with over 206 lives (as at 17 September 2024) already lost on Victorian roads in 2024.

"School holidays are often a time we travel on the roads and you should always be mindful of road rules and safety – especially when driving on heavily congested roads getting out of the city,” Mr Williams said.

“Many of the frustrating driving habits included in the RACV poll – like keeping to the right on a multi lane road – are unsafe and actually illegal and could see you face a penalty from Victoria Police of up to $198 fine and loss of two demerit points.

"By keeping road rules and safety at the forefront of your minds these school holidays, drivers can significantly reduce risks and ensure a safer journey for everyone on the road. Even one life lost on our roads is one too many."

RACV’s road safety tips for Spring school holiday travel

·       Know the rules: Refresh your knowledge of road rules, especially those commonly misunderstood, to ensure you stay safe on the road.

o   For example, Transport Victoria states drivers must keep to the left when driving on any multi-lane road with a speed limit over 80km/h unless you are overtaking or turning right or if all lanes are congested.

o   When merging lanes (changing lanes or joining a queue), you must give way to vehicles already in that lane – this includes when your lane ends. To merge, you should indicate and change lanes when there is a safe gap in traffic and merging drivers should try to match the speed (within the limit) of the traffic they’re joining.

·       Eliminate distractions: It's important to understand the mobile device road rules in Victoria that apply to fully licensed drivers, Learners and P1 and P2 drivers. You are only allowed to briefly (a couple of seconds) touch your phone for changing a song or volume, adjusting navigation or answering a call, only if it is mounted.  Drivers that breach the distracted driving rules face penalties of four demerit points and a fine of $593 for using a mobile device, including phones, when driving.

·       Stay alert: Don’t start your journey at the end of a long day at work. Plan 15-minute breaks every two hours and take turns driving on longer trips to stay alert while driving

·       Maintain your vehicle: Ensure your car is serviced regularly and check vital components like your battery, brakes, air pressure and oil levels before embarking on your journey.

·       Child and pet safety: Properly secure children in appropriate car seats or boosters. Under Victoria’s child restraint road rules, all children under seven years of age must legally be seated in a correctly fitted child restraint or booster seat. RACV recommends reviewing the Kidsafe Victoria child restraint information for further details. While not legally required, restraining pets is strongly recommended for everyone's safety.

·       Emergency preparedness: Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your vehicle, device chargers, a spare tyre, water, and owner’s manual.

For more information about road safety and emergency roadside assistance, visit racv.com.au.