The simple traffic law question many Aussies have a hard time answering – so can you get it right? Take the test yourself
- Aussies shocked to learn of merge rule known as ‘zipper merge’
- The car in front has priority when merging without lane markings
Many Aussies have struggled to answer a simple traffic rule question about lane merging.
NSW Road Safety polled motorists on social media asking, ‘Which car should give way? White or yellow?’ the mail asked.
The image is of two cars approaching a form one lane sign. A white car drives ahead of the yellow car and tries to merge on an unmarked road.
A question about a common merge has sparked much discussion. The image of two cars approaching a one lane sign was posted online asking who should give way, the white car or the yellow car? (photo)
The answer to who should give way boils down to whether there are lane markings when the driver should merge.
In the example posted, there are no lane markings, meaning the car in front has the right of way.
Therefore, the correct answer is that the yellow car must give way to the white car.
“If you are driving on a road with no lane markings and the number of lanes or traffic lines is reduced, you must merge by giving way to any vehicle in front of you,” says Transport for NSW.
The question sparked a heated debate on social media.
“The law actually states that you must avoid an accident at all costs,” said one Aussie.
So it’s all a matter of interpretation. However, the white vehicle must give way and find a safe entrance (opening) to merge. If the yellow car accelerates deliberately, it is an inconsiderate driver.
Who must give way comes down to whether there are lane markings at the moment when the driver must merge. In the example posted there are no lane markings meaning the car in front of you has the right of way as it drives in front of you (pictured a merge where the car in front of you has the right of way)
