Warning Triangles

Wandererone · Veteran Member

Warning Triangles

Bruce and Bev · Guru

nope......think its another urban myth )

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I have no idea if, neither have I ever heard that, it is compulsory to carry reflective triangles in the tow vehicle for use when a flat tyre (or any other emergency) occurs - whether that is when towing or not towing.

However, I have carried two reflective triangles and a Hi-Viz jacket to use if (or when) I get a flat or an emergency on the road necessitating me to move about the vehicle/van on the side of the road to sort out a problem. I rarely tow after dusk and if I did, I certainly would want the safety margin they may offer.

It is basic safety from my point of view as I have no wish to be bowled over by some poor soul who hasn't seen my rig and me stuck on the roadside.

On many inland, minor roads, there is usually little roadside verge to get completely off the road and having reflective triangles makes me feel a fair bit happier.

cheers - and happy, trouble-free travelling - John

dogbox · Guru

seen them advertised some where the other day for $20 might have been super cheap

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I also think it a good idea to carry them even if not law. I saw a car and van only the other day on the side of the road here in Townsville with triangles out back of van and thought it was good thinking on the drivers part. Was very visible from a distant.

I carry one triangle but it is hard to get to and thought the other day I will get another one and put them at easy reach and use them if needed.

NeilandRaine · Guru

I have always carried them just pleased have never needed them. Can be used day or night as early warning

Footprints · Senior Member

It is a legal requirement for all trucks no matter how small the truck is even those that can be driven with a car license. I think that you will find that all tow vehicles and caravan combinations are generally classified as trucks, that is the case when parking so I would assume that it would also apply when mobile. The height and bulk of the rig puts it into the same category as a truck I believe.

Allen

NeilandRaine · Guru

Tried to get some help from Mr Google but this is all I could get
Warning triangles

A vehicle, or a vehicle and trailer, with a GVM of more than 12 tonnes, must carry three portable warning triangles to use if the vehicle breaks down.

If a vehicle required to carry warning triangles stops, or the load being carried by the vehicle falls onto the road and is not visible for 200 metres in all directions, the driver must put:
The first triangle 50-150m from the front of the vehicle or fallen load
The second triangle 50-150m from the rear of the vehicle or fallen load
The third triangle at the side of the vehicle or fallen load, in a position that gives sufficient warning to other road users of the position of the vehicle or fallen load

Truck lane sign
Truck and bus lanes

Where a truck lane is marked with a sign, trucks more than 4.5 tonnes GVM must use these lanes.

This is for NSW www.rms.nsw.gov.au/index.html

Hey Jim · Guru

Never heard of that one either.

How ever we carry two yellow safty vest. both warn when changing a flat / blowen tyre whit hazard lights on. Wife keeps a eye out and if, vehicle or truck coming we get back away from the road.

So many people have been killed by sleepy drivers.

Jim & Lambie

-- Edited by Hey Jim on Sunday 7th of June 2015 08:38:25 PM

Baz421 · Guru

Used to apply to trucks over 4.5 tonnes GVM in the 90's so assume it's still the same otherwise the motoring organisations etc would be telling members. There was no mention of GCM then, so car/van combination was not included.

-- Edited by Baz421 on Sunday 7th of June 2015 10:06:10 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I guess it becomes a worksite when changing a tyre ? Much the same now when tradies stop on side of road .. Not always I forced..
It's a work over rule .. Depends on speed limit or if you can get off the road enough?
Cant complian about safety .. Just wish they advised instead of fining people .
Should be same for cars in some ways .. Trucks can be seen..
In any case .. Most times the tyre is stuffed .. I drive if I can to safe area..
The danger is not worth it ...

Pete49 · Senior Member

both our cars come with them as standard so its no problem for me :)

Pete

aussietraveller · Guru

I have always carried one triangle and a very bright yellow safety vest but to date have not had to use them but not really any extra weight to carry but gives high level of safety and peace of mind if ever needed.

-- Edited by aussietraveller on Monday 8th of June 2015 01:43:13 AM

Kooroorinya Kelpie · Senior Member

Still a legal requirement for heavy vehicles in Qld with deployment as outlined by NeilandRaine. There is nothing in the regulations preventing their use by any other motorist. Any smart motorist would carry them, particularly on rural/remote roads, as it may save you getting an involuntary coaat of paint on your bum from passing vehicles. I carry a set, because I have to, and also have high vis vest, eflares, some out of date marine flares and a very powerful torch with a flashing strobe light. All of these can be used in daylight quite effectively. Anything which makes for safe travels is well worth having and using.

Radar · Guru

From experience transport driver, motorist take great pleasure in either knocking or running over safety tri-angles.

Then there is the others I am sure speed up because it is a safe zone and we need to get pass that big thing with tri-angles out.

In parts of Europe it is compulsory to carry one and display it at the rear of a stationary when stopped on certain grades of road. One car I was near had it on a hinge in the boot. Opening the boot and it would fold down to be displayed. I think the car was a German made car starting with M or B.

What a nice safety trick. Ralph.

chaslib · Senior Member

This subject is covered in the requirements for heavy vehicle licences .....is law and applies to vehicles with GVM over 12t and must be placed before, mid and behind vehicle. There is a specific distance that they must be positioned at the 3 places. It does not say if smaller weight vehicles should use them ........ I guess it is up to the driver to assess the hazard. Hubby has just upgraded licence and I am not looking forward to going through the same later this year. ... Have done the questions part and now have to do the practical. i can highly recommend to everyone that even if they are not upgrading licence, you go through the data base of over 400 questions that form the Knowledge Base Questions for all over 4.5t vehicles licence tests ..... Free online for NSW drivers on RMS website. it is a wake up call when you realise how much you have forgotten and how much you never knew .....

cheers

TommyG · Senior Member

" it is a wake up call when you realise how much you have forgotten and how much you never knew ....." It would be a good idea if instead of just fining people for minor traffic violations they made it compulsory for offenders to take a reviver course. If the offender couldn't pass suspend licence "til they could.

Kooroorinya Kelpie · Senior Member

Goodonya TommyG so for a minor offence the bullyman has now got another way of taking your license you reckon. More better they cocentrate on the dangerous clowns I think. Or are you the perfect driver thqat I;ve yet to meet on the road.

PeterD · Guru

NeilandRaine wrote:
Tried to get some help from Mr Google but this is all I could get
Warning triangles

A vehicle, or a vehicle and trailer, with a GVM of more than 12 tonnes, must carry three portable warning triangles to use if the vehicle breaks down.
Snip.

What Neil posted here is a resume of The Australian Road Rules - Part 13 - Division 4 Portable warning triangles for
heavy vehicles. All the Australian states use these as a basis of their own state regulations (allbeit with a few amendments) so those numbers will apply to your state legislation. For your state legislation go to this link.

For those conspiracy theorists who insist that these rules are dreamed up by public servants for the purposes of revenue raising, note the opening paragraph of the second link page.

The Australian Vehicle Standards Rules (the AVSRs) were developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including road agencies, automotive industry bodies and representatives, police and road safety experts, motoring organisations and members of the public.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

we have 2 orange with reflective cones in our ute as triangles tend to blow over in the wind. We also have heavy and light weight high viz jackets.

The lightweights ones we keep in the ute door holders all screwed up and the heavy weather proof ones we keep thrown in the back of the ute in case its cold or wet.

I agree with Aus -Kiwi - drive to a safe place to change your tyre - which is safer - your life or changing your wheel on the side of the road when theres not any decent pull over area (common)

Wandererone · Veteran Member

Thanks all for your replies.
It seems though, although not required by 'law', they are a good idea.

On a slightly different topic.......

My sister-in-law was pulled over for a random breath test last week and warned she would be fined in future for not having her dog restrained in the back seat.
Another one we can't seem to find an answer for (google came up with nothing)
I know that dogs need to be restrained in the back of utes and trucks but cars?

How is the 'average' Jane supposed to know about all these new rules and regulations if they are not notified or advertised?
Just creates confusion me thinks

hako · Guru

I suppose a dog running free inside the cabin could be a distraction which is avoidable if the dog is properly restrained, so I'd reckon that having some sort of restraint for a dog would be a good move.
Common sense possibly.