The key underlying principles to be applied when a Testing Officer considers how to record against the applicant using a median strip are as follows:

1. Safe driving practices
2. The Road Rules
3. Where there is a median strip wide enough to offer a safe haven for the vehicle, then the driver may attempt to split the intersection into two parts and when safe from the right move to the safe haven area until they are able to complete the turn having given way to all vehicles on the left.

Any vehicles subsequently arriving at the break in the median wanting to turn from the left or right intersecting roads and therefore needing to use the break in the median strip are not considered as part of the initial decision that the applicant made and therefore do not come into the assessment process.

In general because the applicant entered the median first then the other vehicles would have to wait until the applicant cleared the area.

Scenario 1:

  • Applicant is turning onto and crossing a dual road with multiple lanes.
  • The view to the left is unobstructed.
  • There are no vehicles approaching from the right.
  • There is traffic approaching from the left and all vehicles appear to be continuing straight through the intersection (there are no vehicles indicating to turn right).
  • The applicant commences to cross the intersection or turn right and stops entirely within the area between the median strips and gives way to the vehicles approaching from the left.

Assessment: No penalty should be recorded against the applicant.

Rationale: On divided roads, it is normal driving practise to go when there is a gap in the traffic approaching from the right – divide the intersection into 2 parts. If drivers waited for a gap from each direction it may impact the traffic flow at the intersection.

Median strips 1

Scenario 2:

  • Applicant is turning onto and crossing a dual road with multiple lanes.
  • The view to the left is unobstructed.
  • There are no vehicles approaching from the right.
  • There is traffic approaching from the left and all vehicles appear to be continuing straight through the intersection (there are no vehicles indicating to turn right).
  • The applicant commences to cross the intersection or turn right and stops entirely within the area between the median strips and gives way to the vehicles approaching from the left.
  • Vehicles then approach from the left indicating to turn right, and due to the position of the applicant’s vehicle they cannot turn right.

Assessment: No penalty should be recorded against the applicant.

Rationale: The applicant has based their decision to go on what is occurring now and not in the future.

Median strips 2

Scenario 3:

  • Applicant is turning onto and crossing a dual road with multiple lanes.
  • The view to the left is unobstructed.
  • There are no vehicles approaching from the right.
  • There is traffic approaching from the left and one or more vehicles are indicating to turn right.
  • The applicant commences to cross the intersection or turn right and stops entirely within the area between the median strips.
  • The vehicles turning right have not been impeded and can make the right turn without conflicting with the applicant’s vehicle.

Assessment: No penalty should be recorded against the applicant.

Rationale: The applicant has not failed to give way or impeded the other vehicles.

Median strips 3

Scenario 4:

  • Applicant is turning onto and crossing a dual road with multiple lanes.
  • The view to the left is unobstructed.
  • There are no vehicles approaching from the right.
  • There is traffic approaching from the left and one or more vehicles are indicating to turn right.
  • The applicant commences to cross the intersection or turn right and stops entirely within the area between the median strips.
  • The vehicles turning right have been impeded and cannot make the right turn without conflicting with the applicant’s vehicle.

Assessment: An Immediate Termination Error (ITE) should be recorded as the applicant has failed to give way to other road users.

Rationale: The applicant attempted to cross when it was clearly unsafe to do so.

Median strips 4

Scenario 5:

  • Applicant is turning onto and crossing a dual road with multiple lanes.
  • The view to the left is obstructed by a permanent object(s)* and the applicant does not have a clear view of the cars approaching from the left.
  • There are no vehicles approaching from the right.
  • The applicant commences to cross the intersection or turn right and stops entirely within the area between the median strips to get a clear view of vehicles approaching from the left.
  • The applicant’s vehicle impedes the progress of a vehicle wishing to turn.

Assessment: No penalty should be recorded against the applicant.

Rationale: It would be impossible for the applicant to be able to see without positioning the vehicle in the middle of the intersection.

* Permanent objects are those such as parked cars, trees & vegetation. If the view was obstructed by another vehicle in the intersection refer to scenario 4.

Median strips 5