handles15 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 H, just wanted to find out about the unwritten rules of the road in Melbourne. I'm finding turning right on four lane roads crazy! If there is traffic consantly both ways do people pull out to the middle of the road here? do people wave to say thank you like in the uk? Is there anything else I should know? I have read and conquered trams, turning left and people crossing the road (crazy)!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 A thank you wave is always appreciated. I'm sure it is much the same as the UK otherwise, just make sure you know who has right of way, and don't hog the right hand lane on a freeway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handles15 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Do people pull out in the road to get through impossible traffic? Nobody has given me a wave yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I wouldn't unless the traffic is moving slowly or you might get wiped out. Have you been courteous to other drivers yet and given them a wave. I usually wave first and get a wave back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handles15 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Of course and of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfndirt Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Driving courtesy in Australia = doesn't exist.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Driving courtesy in Australia = doesn't exist.... I had 3 "thank you" waves within a few minutes on my drive home this afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzukiscottie Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 It may be easier and safer to go left with the traffic and then do a u-turn at the next set of traffic lights, rather than risking crossing several lanes of traffic and worrying about who to wave at! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Multi lane highways use the lights or roundabouts. Can cross but you need to be a good judge of speed and remember that people pass on the inside so you may get across and get wiped out by the person on the roadside lane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike@Bonbeach Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I think the thing to do when driving (Australia and UK), is to anticipate and to expect the unexpected. Don't pull out until it really is safe, regardless if someone behind you is beeping their horn. Tailgating , in my mind, is one of the worst aspects of driving in both countries. Trucks on the major roads in Australia seem to be the worst offenders,(not all, of course), but I always back off and let them get on with it, rather than speed up, after all the police seem to be happier booking car drivers than truckies. You'll always catch them up anyway on the next incline, and then have to go through it all again on the next downhill/flat section. Turning right across 4 lane freeways isn't usually a problem as there normally is a slip road off the outside lane and as long as you indicate in plenty of time you should be OK. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfndirt Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I had 3 "thank you" waves within a few minutes on my drive home this afternoon. We all know Tassie doesn't count!!!! Tassie is awesome.... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 We get thank you waves locally but as soon as we get nearer to Melbourne CBD- nah. Just rudeness and aggression. Which is one good reason for living in the burbs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
engaus Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Watch out for those hook turns in the CBD - they can be a bit of a shock if you arnt used to them. I personally don't feel UK drivers are any friendlier than Melbourne drivers. Sometimes they wave, sometimes they don't. Driving around London and p North I had just as many people sitting up my arse as I would have got in Australia. People doing stupid speeds on highways. I was was born and bread in Australia - I'll always let someone in if it's safe and if someone lets me in I'll always give a wave. Really don't think it's much different from the UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticks Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Worst drivers i have seen is over here in Aus. Even Aussies agree with me! No road etiquitte what so ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Worst drivers i have seen is over here in Aus. Even Aussies agree with me! No road etiquitte what so ever. If you can't beat them join them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristolman Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Driving courtesy in Australia = doesn't exist.... Generally I agree, it is very different to driving here. You do get some thank you waves but generally drivers are a bit more ignorant and impatient in Melbourne, probably Australia generally. We have had Australians mention to us how polite drivers here when they drive in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ella Rich Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Avoid driving in the area of CBD during early mornings & late afternons peak time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithandkate Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 It's never happened to me elsewhere, but I was given the bird twice within my first hour driving in Melbourne. And what about that lane discipline? grrrr... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 If you want courteous driving, move to Northern Ireland. I think in Victoria - and especially Melbourne, driving is quite stressy. In particular, you know that the slightest slip up is likely to lead to hundreds of dollars of fines, so you are going to be driving with one eye on the road and one on the speedo. People are worried about what everyone else is doing, so that makes them tense and defensive, which in turn makes everyone else tense and defensive. It is a vicious circle. The same people in other circumstances are fine. They are not horrible people, just people in a situation they don't greatly enjoy and are worried that if they are not aggressive, they will be aggressed at. It's just the way it is, and you do get used to it. No point sweating over things you can't change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Continuum Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Driving courtesy in Australia = doesn't exist.... something wrong with your driving then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buster11 Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 youre not a pom!! do you have the right ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephensteve Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 I have lived and driven in SA, QLD, NSW....you cannot do a u turn at a traffic light unless there is a sign that says you can... in Victoria, you CAN do a u turn unless there is a sign that says you can't.....!!!! :arghh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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