Even the most knowledgeable drivers may not know this road rule fact! Under a national road rule that may appear as new, a yellow line may be painted along a kerb to indicate there are parking restrictions in that area. This yellow line may be used in conjunction with a No Stopping Sign or used instead of one, so don’t assume just because there is no sign that you are safe to park!
Whilst this rule has existed since 2009, it is only recently that many councils have begun to adopt the rule, and the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads listed parking or stopping where there is a continuous yellow line painted along the edge of the road as one of the most common parking fines of 2014, indicating a lack of awareness about this road rule.
Stopping in a zone with indicated yellow lines will result in a parking fine in a regular no stopping zone, and a fine and the loss of two demerit points in a school zone.
There are 2 types of yellow lines to be on the lookout for:
1. A broken yellow line, which indicates a CLEARWAY line. In this situation, you may not park in this zone in the hours indicated on the sign, unless it’s an emergency. If there are no times listed on the sign, then you must not park in the zone at all.
2. An unbroken continuous yellow line, which indicates that you may not stop at this zone at any time, excluding emergency situations.
It is important to abide by these yellow lines as they may appear at a spot where parking will impair visibility for other motorists, the road may be too narrow for parking or it may be too close to an intersection or a slip lane. Accordingly, they are used to ensure the safety of all road users.
The idea behind the introduction of these signs is to aim to decrease the number of road signs and clutter on streets, which can sometimes lead to distraction and confusion for motorists, therefore increasing safety for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Don’t stop on the yellow line and you’ll be fine! (And most importantly, not fined!).
If you are not sure how the Yellow Line rules work, ask your driving instructor next lesson. This update is part of our ongoing commitment to educate learner drivers and their families.
Source: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/licence/index.html