The decision about whether it is safe to continue driving

With improved health care people are living longer and more active lives. This is rewarding for the individual and provides a wealth of knowledge and experience for the community to draw on. Staying active and participating in community life is vital for your health and wellbeing. Access to transport is necessary to staying active. If you don’t drive, it can present real challenges, but it is possible to get around and stay mobile.

The decision about whether it is safe to continue drivingUnlike other states, Victoria’s licensing policy is based on a person’s fitness to drive. There is no retesting for licence renewal based on the age of a driver. People can drive to any age as long as it is safe for them to do so. The decision to reduce or stop driving is often made by the driver. This may be because driving is becoming difficult or stressful, or following advice from a family member, friend or doctor.

Drivers of any age can develop medical conditions that affect their ability to drive safely. These conditions must be reported to VicRoads. Doctors can advise on which conditions need to be reported. Victoria’s licensing system also relies on the community to contact VicRoads about drivers who are considered to be unsafe. In these cases medical reports are requested and driving retests may be conducted. This may result in the licence being suspended or cancelled.

Dealing with the decision
Discovering that you can no longer drive can lead to feelings of loss of freedom and independence. It may also be frustrating and difficult to imagine life without driving. What is important is that you don’t allow the quality of your life to suffer. Explore the full range of options available to you and plan for how you can continue to socialise, maintain hobbies and interests, pay bills and shop.

There may be more than one solution to your transport needs. You may need to use different options depending on where you are going and when you are travelling. Use the information on this page to help you plan your trip. Help and advice is also available from the organisations listed on this page. www.darshandrivingschool.com.au

You are ready to attempt the test

• You have at least 120 hours of on-road supervised driving experience in a variety of traffic, road, and driving conditions, including experience in the wet, on high-speed roads and at least 10 hours at night.
• You can perform day-to-day driving tasks safely on different types of roads, including busy roads, multilane roads, roads with different speed zones, and in a range of traffic conditions.
• You can perform day-to-day driving tasks safely without the assistance of your supervising driver or instructor. That is, you can drive independently and make your own safe driving decisions.

You consistently demonstrate the following safe driving behaviours while driving in different traffic conditions:

• Observation – you are aware of other road users and road conditions at all times, using head
  checks and mirrors as well as looking ahead of your car and observing behind your car when
  demonstrating low speed manoeuvres
• Signal use – you communicate your intentions to other road users by using your signals
  correctly
• Gap selection – you choose the first safe gap when moving into traffic
• Speed choice – you always drive under the speed limit but not too slowly – that is, you choose
  a safe, efficient speed depending on traffic and road conditions
• Following distance – you always leave a safe distance in front of your car
  Lateral position – you choose the safest lane to drive in, steer a smooth path, and always stay
  within your own lane
• Stop Position – you stop your car fully in the correct position when at Stop signs, traffic
  signals, and pedestrian crossings
• Control – you are in full control of the car at all times and can drive smoothly

You can perform the following actions safely and legally in a range of traffic conditions:

• Right and left turns at different types of intersections
• Lane changes to the left and the right
• Merging with other traffic
• Reverse parallel parking and a three point turn
• Driving along straight or curved roads in different traffic
  conditions

You can drive in different traffic and road conditions without committing any serious safety errors such as:

• Colliding with the kerb when driving
• Causing a near miss with other cars or road users
• Exceeding the speed limit at any time
• Causing other road users to avoid a collision by failing to signal, observe, or give way
• Driving through a Stop sign or red traffic light
• Stopping the car in an unsafe position
• Driving too slowly for the conditions
• Failing to look or signal
• Blocking a pedestrian crossing
• Allowing a wheel to mount the kerb when parking or leaving a parking space
• Failing to come to a complete stop, in the correct position, at a Stop sign

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serious errors Driving test

Collision  Crashing into another vehicle or road user (eg. pedestrian or bicyclist) will immediately end your test and you will fail.  Even a small collision is a sign that you need to develop more safety-related skills before driving on your own.

Mounting the kerbHitting or running into the kerb or footpath is a serious safety issue. It puts pedestrians and other road users at risk and is a sign that you do not have safe control of the car. This will immediately end your test and you will fail. This penalty is less severe if you hit the kerb gently while performing a reverse-park. This error is a potential safety problem. It suggests you need more practice with this manoeuvre, but it usually doesn't place anyone in immediate danger.

Speeding
Driving too fast for the conditions and exceeding the speed limit causes crashes. Speed related crashes are a big problem for young drivers. The speed limit is the maximum safe speed at which you should drive. If you exceed the speed limit by more than 5 km/h during your test drive the test will be stopped and you will fail. This is regarded as a serious error because it creates an unsafe situation.
It is also a serious error to exceed the speed limit by any amount. Exceeding the speed limit by even a small amount may result in a penalty.
If the traffic is very busy and moving at a speed slower than the speed limit, you should choose an appropriate speed to fit into the traffic flow.  However you may be penalised if you drive too slowly for the conditions during the test because you are meant to be driving in normal, day-to-day driving conditions.

Failing to Give Way, Look, or Signal
Other drivers should not have to avoid a collision because of something you have done while driving.  It is your responsibility to choose a safe gap when you are entering traffic, turning at an inter-section, changing lanes, or merging.
If you fail to give way to another road user and they have to avoid a collision with you, the test will be terminated and you will fail. This is a serious, safety-related error.
Entering traffic, turning, or changing lanes without looking or signalling is obviously dangerous. Even if there are no other cars around, this type of behaviour increases the risk of a collision. For this reason it is treated as a serious error and you may fail the test if you don't look or signal when required.

Stopping the Car
When you stop the car – either to park or at an intersection – you must stop in a safe position.  This means that your car should not be in a position where other road users have to change their behaviour to avoid you.
You will fail the test if other drivers or road users do have to avoid your car, and you may fail if you stop in a location where other drivers or road users might have to avoid you.

Stop Signs and Traffic Lights
It is not unusual for licence applicants to fail the on-road test because they go through a Stop sign or traffic light without stopping. This is very unsafe behaviour. You are required to STOP at a Stop sign or red traffic signal.
If you do not stop at a red traffic signal or red arrow that applies to you, the test will be terminated and you will fail. This is extremely risky behaviour.
If you drive through a Stop sign the test will be terminated and you will fail.
Some experienced drivers do the wrong thing by slowing down at a Stop sign to observe for hazards without actually stopping the wheels of the car completely.  This is illegal and may not be safe – you will be penalised if you do this in the test. You will have a Critical Error recorded and may end up failing the test even if there were no potential hazards nearby. If you create an unsafe situation by doing this, the test will be terminated and you will fail.  You must Stop at a Stop sign.

Any Other Unsafe Situations
The licence testing officer is able to terminate the test if you do anything that creates an unsafe situation. The licence testing officer is able to terminate the test to prevent an unsafe situation occurring. You are being assessed on your ability to drive safely so you, your passengers, and any other road users are not put at risk. If you do something that creates an unsafe situation, this is a sign that you are not ready to drive on your own.
If someone else does something that creates an unsafe situation, you will not be penalised as long as you detect the problem and react safely.

Any Other Illegal ActionsThere are many road rules and you are expected to know them all and obey them – during the driving test and whenever you are driving.
If you disobey a road rule but it doesn’t put you or other road users (or property) at risk, a Critical Error will be recorded and you may end up failing the test. So it pays to be careful about obeying the rules.

Australian road rules

There are many laws governing road users. However, the most important point is that you must drive with care and consideration of other road users. Driving rules you must comply with are provided in the Driver's Handbook.
Most driving offences are covered by the Road Traffic Act 1961 and in regulations made under this Act - such as the Australian Road Rules 1999.
Discover more about the rules and how they apply to different kinds of roads, vehicles and road users in the reader's guide.

Visitors to South Australia

Welcome. We want you to enjoy your stay, but more importantly we want you to stay safe.
If you intend to drive in South Australia - make sure you're driving legally and safely by following these tips:

1. Check driver's licence requirements for temporary visitors and new residents.
2. Remember that we drive on the left-hand side of the road in Australia. If you’re from a country where vehicles are driven on the right-hand side, it can feel strange when driving in Australia.
3. Take extra care when driving, cycling and walking in Australia.
4. Practise driving left by using the online hazard perception test provided on the My Licence website.
5. The default speed limit in urban areas is 50 kph unless otherwise sign posted. The speed limit on most Australian highways is 100 kph; only a few roads allow you to travel at a maximum speed of 110 kph. Police regularly conduct speed checks using speed cameras, radar and lasers along all types of roads.
6. Wearing a seatbelt is a life or death matter both for you and your passengers. Drivers must ensure that they and any passengers in the vehicle are wearing a seatbelt or child restraint.

Speed limits in South Australia

Speed is a key factor in crashes and road trauma. The default speed limits in Australia have been set in response to research findings that have revealed direct correlation between travelling at speed and the increased risk of crash and trauma. In acknowledging safer speed limits and travelling at appropriate speeds on South Australian roads, we are all contributing to making our roads safer for all road users.

Know the speed limits

Speed limits indicate the maximum vehicle speed that is permitted on that road. These default driving speed limits are applied in South Australia and across Australia. Any road with a speed limit different to the default limit is signposted accordingly.
25 km/h

• between the signs at a children’s crossing when the alternating lights are flashing
• when passing, in either direction, a school bus that has apparently stopped to pick up or set down passengers
• on a portion of road within a School Zone when a child is present
• (or as indicated) when passing road works with signs displayed.

40 km/h

• some built up areas (eg residential areas) have a speed limit of 40 km/h indicated by signs on all roads leading to that area
• on the approach to a ‘wombat’ pedestrian crossing indicated by signs
• when passing, in either direction, an emergency services vehicle(s) that is stationary and displaying red/blue flashing lights

50 km/h

• is the general default speed limit in a built-up area
• is the maximum speed limit on roads within a built up area unless signposted differently.

80 km/h is the speed limit on some country roads around Metropolitan Adelaide.
100 km/h

• is the maximum speed limit on roads outside a built-up area where no other speed limit is signposted. 
• is the speed limit on most rural roads in South Australia.

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Speed facts of car driving

Vehicle travel speeds affect both the risk of crash involvement and the severity of crashes, and subsequent injuries. Speed is a critical factor in every serious crash, and speeding was identified as a contributing factor in an estimated 36% of fatal crashes (2007-2011). Reductions in travel speed save lives and injuries. Reductions in the average travel speed across the network is the most effective and swift way to reduce road trauma and would produce significant and immediate road safety benefits.

Why is speeding a problem?

If we all do the right thing and drive within the speed limit, lives will be saved and serious injuries will be prevented. A reduction of 5 km/h in average travel speed would reduce rural casualty crashes by about 30% and urban crashes by about 25%.  This is a significant saving of lives and injuries for South Australians.

Stopping distance

A critical factor in the relationship between speed and crashes is stopping distance. There are two components to stopping distance:

1. The distance travelled by the vehicle during the time it takes for the driver to react; and
2. The distance travelled once the brakes have been applied.

The impact of speeding on crash risk

The risk of a casualty crash approximately doubles with each 5km/h increase in speed on a 60km/h speed limited road, or with each 10km/h increase in speed on 110km/h roads.
It is illegal to drive at any speed above the speed limit.
Vehicle travel speeds affect both the risk of crash involvement and the severity of crashes, and subsequent injuries.
Driving over the speed limit:

• increases your chances of being involved in a crash
• means you have less time to react to avoid a crash
• takes longer to stop the vehicle to avoid a crash
• increases the severity of injury in a crash.

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Drinking alcohol can affect your driving

• Slowing down your reaction time – this can be crucial in an emergency situation
• Dulling your thinking processes, making it difficult to multi-task – an essential skill reducing your attention span – not noticing other drivers and/ or vehicles
• Causing short-term side effects such as blurred vision and reduced hearing – reducing your ability to drive safely and identify driving hazards.

What is BAC?

BAC is a measurement of the amount of alcohol in your body, expressed as grams of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Hence, for fully licensed car drivers the legal limit of 0.05 BAC means 0.05gm alcohol per 100ml of blood. For special licence categories such as learner and probationary drivers, taxi, bus, train and heavy truck drivers, the legal limit is zero (0) BAC or 0.02 (which in practice means no alcohol at all).

A driver’s BAC is measured by a simple breath test procedure. If tested by the police, drivers must be below their allowable legal limit. A glass of champagne (11.5 per cent alcohol), or a 375ml stubby or can of full strength beer (4.9 per cent alcohol) are all 1.5 standard alcoholic drinks.

To keep under the 0.05 BAC limit, males can drink no more than two (2) standard alcoholic drinks in the first hour (10gm of alcohol in each) followed by one (1) standard alcoholic drink every hour after that. However, females can drink no more than one (1) standard alcoholic drink every hour.

Danger increases the more you drink

0.02 to 0.05 BAC – your ability to see or locate moving lights correctly is reduced, as is your ability to judge distances. Your tendency to take risks is increased, and your ability to respond to several stimuli is decreased.

At 0.05 BAC drivers are twice (2) as likely to have a crash as before they started drinking.

0.05 to 0.08 BAC – your ability to judge distances reduces further, sensitivity to red lights is impaired, reactions are slower, and concentration span is shorter.

At 0.08 BAC drivers are five (5) times more likely to have a crash than before they started drinking. At 0.08 to 0.12 BAC – “euphoria” sets in – you overestimate your abilities, which leads you to drive recklessly, your peripheral vision is impaired (resulting in accidents due to hitting vehicles while passing), and your perception of obstacles is impaired. Drivers are up to ten (10) times more likely to have a crash.

How does alcohol affect me?

Alcohol is a drug that slows down your body, both physically and mentally. Excessive drinking affects your judgment, memory and reaction time. It takes much longer for your body to expel alcohol than to absorb it, so you can drink a large quantity of alcohol in the evening and still have alcohol present in your body the next day, affecting your driving and other activities.

It’s important to note that these guidelines are general and a range of factors can influence an individual’s BAC, such as your body size, age, level of fitness, liver health, gender, medication, when you last ate and the type of food you ate.