Road Rules
Jaywalking or not walking straight across a road is only illegal in the city.
False: Jaywalking is illegal in the city and country. Pedestrians must not obstruct traffic by unreasonably remaining on the road and must take the shortest route across the road.
It is illegal to cycle while intoxicated.
True: Cyclists must not cycle while intoxicated as bicycles are considered to be a vehicle and therefore come under the same road rules and laws as other vehicles.
Pedestrians are 4 times more likely to be killed in a crash than any other road users involved in road crashes.
True: Pedestrians are at greater risk of death or serious injury than other road users involved in road crashes.
In Thailand, you always need to wear a shirt when driving.
True: You need to be appropriately clothes when driving a car or riding bikes, scooters or motorcycles.
Pedestrians are not permitted to walk on freeways.
True: Signage will advise pedestrians that it is illegal to walk on freeways.
It's okay to listen to music or talk on your phone when you're crossing roads as long as you 'stop, look, listen' and think before you cross.
False: Listening to music or talking on your phone causes inattention to the task of crossing the road.
Pedestrians make about 5% of those killed each year on WA roads.
False: Around 12% of all road deaths in WA each year are pedestrians.
In the UK it is encouraged to splash pedestrians when driving through puddles.
False: The UK’s Road Traffic Act 1988 specifically calls out driving through puddles causing pedestrians to be splashed as an offence.
You can walk along the road even if there is a footpath available.
False: You must not walk on a road if there is a footpath available for use. If a footpath is not provided you should walk on the verge (as far away from the road as possible) facing oncoming traffic.
Wearing light coloured clothing or articles that have reflective strips such as shoes and backpacks can make you more visible in the traffic environment.
True: Other road users will be more aware of your presence if you wear light or fluoro coloured articles of clothing.
Pedestrian injury is one of the leading causes of child injury and death in Australia.
True: On average around 30 children will die as a result of a road crash each year and one child is accidentally run over in their own driveway every week in Australia.
In the US you can turn at a red light.
True: In many states across the US, it’s legal to make a right-hand turn at a set of traffic lights even when you’ve got a red light, provided the way is clear.
A cyclist has the 'right of way' over a pedestrian on a shared path.
False: Cyclists must give way to pedestrians on a shared path however a pedestrian cannot intentionally obstruct a cyclist and should move to the left when the cyclist rings their bell.
Newly licensed and young drivers are often involved in road crashes.
True: 17-24 year olds are overrepresented in WA crash statistics. This is due to a number of factors - inexperience, travelling with an overloaded vehicle, speed, and alcohol.
Female pedestrians are more likely to be injured in a road crash than males.
False: Males are more likely to be injured as pedestrians and in most other types of road crashes.
In Manilla, you are not permitted to drive during certain times depending on the numbers on your number plate.
True: To reduce the volume of traffic on the heavily congested roads in the Philippines’ capital Manila, during weekday peak hours, passenger vehicles with licence plates ending in a certain number are not allowed to enter Metro Manila.
Pedestrians must use a pedestrian crossing if it is provided and within 20 metres of where they want to cross.
True: You must use a pedestrian crossing if you are within 20 metres of a marked crossing.
If you have been drinking alcohol at a party, walking home is the best way to get home safely.
False: Alcohol impacts your ability to make safe decisions. Alcohol contributes to pedestrian injuries and deaths and is a factor in nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities each year.
A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 30km/h has a 20% chance of surviving.
False: A pedestrian has a 95% chance of surviving if hit by a car travelling at 30km/h, a 60% chance at 50km/h and only a 20% chance at 70km/h. This is why the speed limit around schools is 40km/h.
In Japan, you are allowed to be a drunk passenger in the car.
False: In addition to being illegal to drive a car while under the influence of alcohol in Japan, it’s also illegal to ride in a car as the passenger of a drunk driver.