Agreement on national road rules

A majority of State Ministers and the Federal Minister for Transport have agreed in principle to the implementation of a system of National Road Rules.

The Minister for Roads and Ports, Mr Craige, said the new rules, which were the result of more than five years of negotiations between the States and the Commonwealth, would help create consistency across state boundaries and make driving easier for those travelling interstate.

Mr Craige said that while states and territories were changing their legislation so that major road rules were consistent across the country, differences would still exist where individual State Governments determine that it is in the public interest.

" It is unlikely that Victoria's adoption of the National Road Rules will result in many major changes for Victorians," Mr Craige said.

In most cases, whether it is rules that cover drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists or pedestrians, Victoria has already implemented laws that reflect the national agreement.

The next step in the Government's agenda will see the changes to road-safety regulations coming into force on 1 May 1999.

The Minister said that the Government was currently considering a detailed response to the National Road Rules and an announcement would be made after this consideration.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Roads and Ports, February 26, 1999)