Motorists infuriated by new road rule to protect cyclists in the Northern Territory

A new rule set to improve cyclists’ safety on the road has sparked online outrage from motorists.

From August 1, motorists travelling under 60km/h must leave a minimum one metre passing distance when overtaking a cyclist in the Northern Territory.

The gap must be at 1.5 metres while overtaking a rider if travelling over 60km/h. 

The aim is better protect cyclists, who are more likely to be injured in a crash than other road users and will bring road legislation in line with most other states.

Victoria will become the only Australian state without specific minimum passing distance laws when they come into effect in Australia’s Top End next month.

‘Leaving a safe passing distance better protects cyclists, particularly in situations when they may not realise a vehicle is approaching them from behind,’ the Road Safety NT website states.

The rule is intended to improve safety by providing more space for everyone – particularly in the event a cyclist has to move suddenly to avoid a hazard,”Most states and territories have implemented, or are trialling, this road rule.’ 

If they are caught breaking the new law from next month, motorists can be charged by police with a number of existing road traffic offences, including overtaking a vehicle without leaving a sufficient distance.

Some exemptions to existing road rules will apply to comply with the new law.

Motorists will be able to cross centre lines when overtaking a cyclist if they have a clear view of approaching traffic and it’s safe to pass the cyclist.

Some NT motorists aren’t happy with the new rule which comes into affect from August 1

The new rule has sparked online debate between motorists.

‘What a joke.. get on the bike path… or start riding hard to the left,’ one man posted on the ABC Darwin Facebook page on Wednesday.

Another added: ‘Get them to pay rego and insurance and or enforce them to use designated paths and I won’t hate riders.’

Others pointed out the same wider of the rider rules apply in most other states.

‘The road rules need to be national. This has been the case in Qld and NSW and probably elsewhere for over a year. So much time and money is wasted on having seven different jurisdictions playing silly buggers debating this sort of thing separately,’ one posted.

The same rule was enforced in New South Wales last year after a two-year trial saw the number of crashes involving cyclists was reduced by 15 per cent.

NSW motorists caught too close to cyclists cop a $330 fine and the loss of two demerit points, while in South Australia, there’s a $287 fine, a $60 victims of crime levy, and the loss of two demerit points. 

The same rule was implemented in New South Wales last year after a successful two year trial

The fine is up to $159 in Tasmania while in Australian Capital Territory, the penalty is  a $292 fine and loss of two demerit points.

The laws are tougher in Queensland with a $400 fine and loss of three points if you don’t allow the minimum distance when you overtake a cyclist.

If the matter ends up in court, a maximum fine of up to $5,300 can apply.

But Western Australia has the toughest penalty, which is $400 fine and loss of four demerit points.

While Victoria is the only state without minimum passing distance laws, a one metre gap when overtaking at 60km/hr or under and 1.5 gap when travelling over 60km/hr is recommended. 

The Victorian government rejected the proposed legislation in 2017 on the belief the law would be too hard to enforce. 

 Minimum passing distance laws for overtaking cyclists apply in most states, except Victoria