Tamsalina Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Is it just me or does crossing the road in Australia actually mean taking your life in your hands? I'm really not one to moan about the differences over here, I really love living here! But I don't get the road crossing situation at all. So I press the button and tell my kids to wait for the little green man so we can cross. On comes said little man and we set off crossing. But the cars keep coming! They seem to be allowed to turn left across our path even when the crossing man is there, so we have to dodge them! I don't drive so have no idea of the 'rules'..... can anyone explain to me what is going on as I'm trying to get some road sense into my kids! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 You have the right of way, but some drivers ignore this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 They shouldn't turn across you - if the man is green, it's your priority and cars turning in should give way. This happens at thousands of junctions across Australia so drivers ought to be used to it. As ever, you need to cross with awareness regardless of who's "in the right" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rikyuu Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 considering how many filter lights are on the average intersection as no driver can be trusted use their own judgement to make a left or right turn without traffic lights, I too was amazed that the pedestrian green light comes on when traffic is still coming! Yes it's your right of way, but you've got to put a lot of faith in drivers seeing you and actually stopping, otherwise you're dead. Still, the driving is excellent here and you never hear of accidents or pedestrians being killed and the driver driving off without stopping. I avoid being a pedestrian at all costs. If I have to be one, like in the CBD, I always try to cross with a crowd of people so to cushion the impact of any p-plate Commodore driver or 4x4 coming through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritChickx Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 It's really annoying that even tho the green man says you can go there are still cars just a metre away revving their engine trying to get round the corner, like wtf, why do they get to nearly run people over? shouldn't they be behind the line til the green man turns red? lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamsalina Posted August 3, 2012 Author Share Posted August 3, 2012 Ah, so these cars are actually allowed to turn when the green man is on! At least now I know. I agree it is a bit of a rubbish system, and I'm quite nervous about teaching my little ones to cross the road when I can't be sure that a green man means no cars can drive towards them! Note to self...... LEARN TO DRIVE! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blobby1000 Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Australian drivers are born to kill. If you are walking they will drive as fast as they can at you in the hope of ending your life. If you are driving they will tailgate and shout abuse at you throughout your journey. Occasionally an Australian driver will allow you and your kids to walk across the road....they will usher you in an impatient "get out of my way" gesture. When my wife was crossing the road with our children one day, she got in the way of a driver and was given verbal abuse. Welcome!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GoldCoastMag Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Are you for real, this is just so inappropriate, I cannot believe this is anything but stirring. Talk about generalisation, besides since Australia has many migrants, how do you know what nationality all those drivers are? Australian drivers are born to kill. If you are walking they will drive as fast as they can at you in the hope of ending your life. If you are driving they will tailgate and shout abuse at you throughout your journey. Occasionally an Australian driver will allow you and your kids to walk across the road....they will usher you in an impatient "get out of my way" gesture. When my wife was crossing the road with our children one day, she got in the way of a driver and was given verbal abuse. Welcome!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zman Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Australian drivers are born to kill. If you are walking they will drive as fast as they can at you in the hope of ending your life. If you are driving they will tailgate and shout abuse at you throughout your journey. Occasionally an Australian driver will allow you and your kids to walk across the road....they will usher you in an impatient "get out of my way" gesture. When my wife was crossing the road with our children one day, she got in the way of a driver and was given verbal abuse. Welcome!!! Hmmmmmm, I trust this is a tongue-in-cheek posting? There are tons of things wrong with this place and there are tons of things wrong with the UK but, as GoldCoastMag has said, this is just stirring for stirring's sake. If your post is meant to be even half-serious, I would seriously counsel you to do whatever you need to do to get your funds together and go back to the UK asap. It would appear that you've become seriously jaded that life down here hasn't turned out as you expected. Sorry to be blunt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Ropey HOFF Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 We stayed in Brisbane city for one week at a lovely hotel for free thanks to that lovely volcano and Singapore airlines and the traffic was busy, but when the lights went to red, the vehicles stopped and when the green man came on we walked across without incident, pls the other 8 weeks in Perth And Queensland was incident free, but ....... It was only a holiday so I might find it different when we emigrate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chardy Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 but ....... It was only a holiday so I might find it different when we emigrate. I'm sure you're right mate and this statement will be backed up by certain members as apparently you you can learn nothing about living there from a mere holiday in Oz !:laugh: BTW I agree with the other comments that just because you have right of way, NEVER assume it will be granted and that applies regardless of whether you are walking or driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairystar32 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 It is very strange the pedestian lights here. They turn on green too walk and at the same time, as the other junction lights turn on green. Unlike the UK. You have to watch out some times as some motorists must not realise.. You do have right of way, cars should stop, but some do not!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabo Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 If there is not a filter light for left turning, drivers can turn left even if the green man is lit after first STOPPING . That is, coming to a halt and checking. That is the theory anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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