Is Changing Multiple Lanes at Once Illegal? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you've ever been on a busy freeway or multi-lane road, you’ve probably witnessed a driver darting across multiple lanes in one swift movement. Whether they’re trying to make a last-minute turn-off or hurry to overtake another vehicle, it's a dangerous move that many Australian drivers make. But just how illegal is it to change multiple lanes at once?

While it’s clear that darting across lanes can be hazardous, let’s dive into whether it’s actually illegal or just a violation of other road rules.

The Danger of Changing Multiple Lanes

Changing multiple lanes in one move is dangerous for a number of reasons. Not only do you risk failing to check your blind spots and making the lane change without proper warning, but other drivers may not expect such a sudden move. This can lead to accidents or close calls, as drivers don’t have enough time to react to your actions.

Though it may be tempting in moments of frustration or hurry, we’ve all seen drivers move from the inside lane to the outside or vice versa, all in one swift motion. But the real question is, is this kind of driving against the law?

Is It Illegal to Change Multiple Lanes at Once?

In Australia, there is no specific rule that outright bans changing multiple lanes at once. However, just because it’s not explicitly illegal, it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Changing lanes without proper indication or safety precautions can lead to violations of other important road rules.

According to the Road Rules 2014 legislation, lane changes must be done with sufficient warning to other drivers. Specifically, Rules 46 (changing lanes to the left) and 48 (changing lanes to the right) require drivers to signal their intention to change lanes. However, the rules don’t directly say how long you must indicate. This lack of a set time means that it will be up to the police officer's discretion when determining if you’ve signaled for an adequate amount of time.

The Importance of Indicating

The law requires that you signal before changing lanes in order to give adequate warning to other drivers. This applies even when changing multiple lanes at once. It’s not just about signaling, though; you must signal long enough to give other road users sufficient time to notice your intentions.

Though there is no specific rule that dictates the minimum time to signal, driving schools across the country recommend signaling for at least three seconds before making a lane change. This allows other drivers to react to your movements and helps prevent accidents. If you're trying to dart across multiple lanes quickly, you likely won't give other drivers enough time to react, which could lead to violations.

Penalties for Changing Multiple Lanes

Even though changing multiple lanes at once may not technically be "illegal," it can still lead to significant penalties if it violates other road rules. In New South Wales, for example, violating lane change rules can result in a fine of $198 and two demerit points. In Victoria, you could be fined up to $593 for the same offense.

Moreover, there's another fine related to signaling. If you fail to cancel your indicator after changing lanes, or if you don’t indicate again before switching to another lane, you could face the same fine amount (minus demerit points in NSW). This can stack on top of your other fines, leading to even higher costs.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

While there may not be a law against changing multiple lanes at once, it's essential to always drive safely and within the rules. Here are a few tips to avoid getting fined or causing an accident:

• Signal Early: Make sure to use your indicator for at least three seconds before changing lanes.
• Don’t Rush: Avoid trying to make multiple lane changes at once. Take your time, signal, and make sure it’s safe to change each lane individually.
• Check Your Blind Spots: Always check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes to ensure you don’t cut anyone off or cause a dangerous situation.

Conclusion

Changing multiple lanes at once may not be outright illegal in Australia, but it can lead to violations of other road rules, such as failing to signal adequately or change lanes safely. This can result in fines and demerit points, potentially costing you hundreds of dollars.

When in doubt, always err on the side of caution: signal early, check your surroundings, and change lanes one at a time to keep both yourself and other drivers safe on the road.

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Credit: Drive.com.au