Merging: still a difficult move for some Adelaide drivers
28/05/2010
SGIC is urging all SA drivers to take extra care, after new claims data has revealed that in recent years in Metropolitan and Greater Adelaide, collisions involving drivers merging have increased by 17 per cent*.
The insurer also found Main North Road (Pooraka, Salisbury, Parafield), South Road (Edwardstown, O’Halloran Hill, St Marys) and Port Road (Thebarton, Hindmarsh) to be the most problematic roads and areas for merging incidents.
SGIC spokesperson Robert McDonald said the data showed that drivers need to refresh their road rules knowledge and take more caution when merging.
Additional research into driver knowledge showed 20 per cent of SA drivers don’t know the correct road rule when two lines of traffic merge into a single line of traffic and almost 20 per cent of SA drivers don’t know the correct road rule when moving from one line of traffic to another**.
“The rules when merging are straightforward - when two lines of traffic become one and there are no marked lines, a driver must give way to any vehicle that is ahead of their own. And if a vehicle wants to move from one marked lane of traffic into another, they must give way to the lane of traffic they are moving into***.
“Being courteous and allowing other vehicles to move smoothly into lanes can help everyone reduce the risk of a collision,” Mr McDonald said.
SGIC offers the following tips to drivers:
- merge at a similar speed to the traffic you are merging with – this will make merging easier and assist with traffic flow;
- don’t change lanes abruptly, move smoothly into lanes – this can help to reduce the risk of a collision;
- maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you to avoid clipping the car when merging;
- always use your indicators when merging or changing lanes so other drivers are aware of where you are going.
* Based on SGIC motor comprehensive claims data sourced in May 2010 for the period of 2007 to 2009.
** Based on Pure Profile Research, February 2010
*** http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/