Can you answer this simple ROAD RULE question?
- Replies 41
A simple road rule question has left hundreds of Aussie drivers stumped and confused, with many admitting that they have been doing things incorrectly the whole time.
Posting on their official Facebook account, Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads shared an image of an orange car attempting to merge lanes with a blue car because their lane was coming to an end.
"You know your road rules, and now's your chance to prove it," the transport office wrote in their Facebook post, asking the question: "The driver of the orange car needs to merge into the same lane as the blue car – but who has to give way?"
Hundreds of Australian drivers were stumped by a simple road rule question. Credit: Facebook/Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland.
The comments section was clearly divided over which driver had the right of way, and hundreds of users were seen to be explaining and defending their positions.
Some users argued that the driver in the orange car had the right of way in this situation.
"Obviously, the blue car has to give way with enough notice!" one user wrote. "Unlike when you're the blue car and you see the orange car speed by to get in front of you and just pulls out in front of you!"
Another agreed that the driver in the orange car was supposed to go first. "The orange car but that never happens especially in Brisbane as they think they have the right to just push in – mostly without even looking," wrote another user.
Eventually, a representative from the transportation department intervened and encouraged fellow drivers to "double-check" the rules of the road.
Apparently in this situation, the driver whose lane is coming to an end must give way to the driver who's already in the lane they're moving into. Meaning, the driver in the blue car has the right of way and the one in the orange car has to slow down and allow them to pass, even though they were ahead.
Several Aussie drivers in the comments section admitted that they were surprised at the correct answer, with one person admitting that they have been driving in Australia for 20 years and they never knew this.
Meanwhile, those who answered correctly expressed that they found it "disturbing" that not many fellow drivers know and are aware of the necessary road rules.
"If you answered blue, please make your way to your nearest transport department and hand your licence in. Thank you," one user half-joked.
"It is staggering the number of people who do not know the road rules," added another.
When merging onto a freeway, it's important for drivers to remember their merging manners. For a more detailed guide on how to properly merge lanes, check out this video below:
Credit: VicRoads.