Road Rules and Traffic Signals
The core idea
Tasmanian road rules follow the Australian Road Rules. Questions test whether you can apply a rule to a situation, not just recite it. Learn the hierarchy: a police officer directing traffic overrides signals, signals override signs, and signs override painted markings. If a question describes conflicting instructions, apply that order.
Signals you must know
A steady red circle means stop and stay stopped. A red arrow applies only to traffic turning in that direction, so a red right arrow does not stop you going straight. A flashing yellow circle means the lights are faulty or a pedestrian phase is active: proceed with caution, giving way as if at an unmarked intersection. A green arrow gives a protected turn, but only while it is lit. A yellow (amber) light means stop unless you are so close that stopping would be unsafe.
Common traps
- Treating a flashing yellow as a green light.
- Turning left on a red light: this is not permitted in Tasmania.
- Confusing a stop line with a give way line; a stop line requires a complete stop even when the road is clear.
- Forgetting that a green light does not give you right of way over pedestrians already crossing.
- Ignoring a 'turn left at any time with care' sign, which allows a left turn on red after giving way.
Worked example
You approach an intersection with a red circle and a green left arrow. You may turn left, because the arrow authorises that movement, but you must still give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are entering. If the arrow disappears and only the red circle remains, you must stop.
Rule of thumb
Ask: who has the strongest instruction here, and what movement does it actually cover?