The surprising road rule that could cost you $300 and two demerit points
Cyclists are demanding for authorities to better enforce a little-known road rule that comes with a $330 fine and two demerit point punishment.
In March 2016, safe-passing road rules were introduced which protects cyclists from motorists who fail to keep a safe distance when sharing the road.
Newly released data shows that the worst offenders of this rule were found in NSW with Frenchs Forest, Sydney CBD and Kensington having the highest rate of incidents.
Since the law has been introduced, only a small number of people have been fined – 65 to be exact, and out of those 65, 43 of those have come from Sydney, with residents from the area being the least compliant.
According to Dulwich Hill cycle club member, David Maywald, seven fines were from the North Coast, six in the Hunter Region, four on the South Coast, three in regional New South Wales and two on the Central Coast.
In 2017 alone, 1967 cyclists were reported to have been critically injured according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“The burden of evidence and prosecution has fallen onto the victims of dangerous close passes,” said Mr Maywald.
Lodging a petition, Mr Maywald is asking the New South Wales police to enforce the law, so cyclists are not faced with the burden of providing evidence of the offence.
The petition has currently accumulated over 3000 signatures.
“Every day the lives of decent hard-working cyclists are being threatened by a small minority of reckless drivers,” he wrote on change.org.
A spokesperson for New South Wales police said that whoever believes an offence has been committed should report it to the police.