Call our lawyers
now
or,
have our lawyers
call you
P Turns and Other Changes to Melbourne Road Rules
Updated on Apr 26, 2018 • 3 min read • 205 views • Copy Link
P Turns and Other Changes to Melbourne Road Rules
The introduction of P turns is one of several changes to Road Rules that Vic Roads has rolled out for specific locations in Melbourne. The new rules are designed to reduce congestion in areas notorious for traffic jams, but critics say they will only create more confusion. The infamous ‘hook turns’ mandated at particular intersections in Melbourne have long baffled visitors to the city and even some residents. Now, Melbournians are being asked to perform P turns when turning right at the intersection between Hoddle Street and Johnson Street and to observe new clearway times and places between the Eastern Freeway and the Yarra River.
What are the changes?
The intersection between Hoddle Street and Johnston Street has long been a ‘problem spot’, with traffic slowing down to a crawl during peak hour. The P turn system means that people wanting to turn right from Hoddle Street onto Johnston Street will travel through the intersection, do a u-turn and then turn left. People wanting to turn right from Johnston Street onto Hoddle Street during peak times will have to turn left onto Hoddle Street, do a u-turn and then travel through the intersection. It is hoped this will reduce congestion as cars will no longer have to wait at the lights to turn right, delaying traffic behind them. VicRoads is calling this new arrangement ‘continuous flow.’
VicRoads has also announced an extension of clearway times on Hoddle Street and Punt Road between the Eastern Freeway and the Yarra River. Many clearway places have now been extended to 24/7 clearways, while others have been extended to being clearways for longer periods. For a full list of the clearway places and times, see the VicRoads website. The extended clearway times give buses their own lane on these roads during peak times.
The intersection between Swan Street and Punt Road will have single lane closures until mid-2018, while roadworks are carried out. The road work is designed to improve the flow of traffic along these roads, which are used by 330,000 every day as they link the major freeways.
How is it working?
Despite VicRoads assurances that these changes will improve the flow of traffic, drivers are complaining that the P turn system simply moves congestion along to the next intersection, where drivers have to queue in order to do a u-turn. Questions are being asked about how traffic is supposed to switch from the usual right hand turns onto Hoddle Street during non-peak times, to the P turn system when peak periods begin. The arrangement has been called ‘a disaster waiting to happen.’ Other road users have applauded the change, saying that it has improved the congestion around the intersection.
Why is it called a ‘P turn’?
The turn drivers are required to make at the Hoddle Street/Johnston Street intersection doesn’t actually form the shape of a P. The term is borrowed from the US, where they drive on the right side of the road and making such a turn does form a P shape . The RACV prefers the term ‘remote right turn’ as that better describes what drivers have to do. The RACV has stated that the P turns or ‘remote right turns’ offer a temporary solution to traffic congestion, but in the longer term suggests the removal of on-street parking on Hoddle Street to create a complete northbound lane.
Lisa Taylor
Senior Associate and the Manager of Go To Court’s Gympie office
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws. She also holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland and in the High Court of Australia. Lisa is a Senior Associate and the Manager of Go To Court’s Gympie office. Lisa has represented clients in the Family Court, Federal Circuit Court, and Queensland’s Supreme, District and Magistrates Courts.
Affordable Lawyers
Our Go To Court Lawyers will assist you in all areas of law. We specialise in providing legal advice urgently – at the time when you need it most. If you need a lawyer right now, today, we can help you – no matter where you are in Australia.How It Works
1. You speak directly to a lawyer
When you call the Go To Court Legal Hotline, you will be connected directly to a lawyer, every time.
2. Get your legal situation assessed
We determine the best way forward in your legal matter, free of charge. If you want to go ahead and book a face-to-face appointment, we will connect you with a specialist in your local area.
3. We arrange everything as needed
If you want to go ahead and book a fact-to-face appointment, we will connect you with a specialist in your local area no matter where you are and even at very short notice.
Related Law Topics
Breaking a Lease for a COVID-19 Reason (Vic)
Please note that the legislation referred to on this page is no longer in force. On 24 April 2020 Victoria passed legislation temporarily amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 will be in force for six months. Among ....
Posted in:
Civil Law
Victoria
Relaxing of Coronavirus Emergency Restrictions (Vic)
Please note that this post was published on 14 May 2020. The information on this page is no longer accurate. On 30th March 2020, the Victorian government put in place strict emergency restrictions in an attempt to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. On 1 June 2020, these restrictions were ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
George Pell Acquitted by High Court
On 7 April 2020 the High Court granted former Cardinal George Pell leave to appeal against the decision of the Victorian Court of Appeal to uphold the jury’s findings of guilt against the Cardinal in December 2018. After hearing his appeal, the High Court found that the jury ought to ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
Self-Isolation Restrictions and Penalties (Vic)
The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (the PHW Act) was enacted with the purpose of promoting and protecting public health in Victoria. It contains provisions that allow the State Government, and its Chief Health Officer, to make directions in response to public health concerns of national and international importance. ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
In January 2017, a Melbourne man drove his car through the busy Bourke Street mall, killing six people and injuring many more. After it came to light that the man had been on bail in relation to other offences at the time the tragedies occurred, Victoria’s bail laws were reformed ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
Should Wheel Clamping Be Illegal? (WA)
A local government body in Western Australia is planning to ban the practice of wheel clamping within its boundaries. The City of Stirling recently voted unanimously to draft the Immobilisation and Detention of Vehicles Local Law 2019. The bill would ban wheel clamping in most circumstances and regulate the detention ....
Posted in:
Traffic Law
Western Australia
Supreme Court Dismisses George Pell Appeal
On 21 August 2019, the Victorian Supreme Court handed down its decision in Cardinal George Pell’s appeal against findings of guilt for child sex offences that occurred in Melbourne in the 1990s. The court dismissed Pell’s appeal by a majority of two to one, with Justice Weinberg dissenting. Pell will ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
Changing the Sex Descriptor On a Birth Certificate (Vic)
Under legislative changes proposed by the Andrews government, Victorians will be able to change the sex recorded on birth certificates without the need to undergo sexual reassignment surgery. The Labor government on Tuesday introduced a bill to allow individuals to nominate a gender to be listed on their birth certificate. ....
Posted in:
Civil Law
Victoria
Cardinal Pell Was Sentenced Today
Cardinal George Pell was sentenced today by the Victorian County Court for historical child sex offences. He received a total effective sentence of six years imprisonment with a non-parole period of three years and eight months. The offences occurred in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996 and 1997 and ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
Gargasoulas Sentenced For Bourke St Killings
The man who drove a stolen car through Bourke Street mall, killing six people and seriously injuring 27 in 2017, was sentenced by the Victorian Supreme Court on 22 February 2019. Justice Weinberg called it one of the ‘worst examples of mass murder’ in Australia’s history and ordered James Gargasoulas ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
Victoria
Gay Conversion Therapy to be Banned in Victoria
The Victorian Premier has announced the state will be passing legislation to outlaw the controversial practice of gay conversion therapy. The Health Complaints Commissioner, which commenced an inquiry into the practice last year, found overwhelming evidence that the therapy does long-term damage to people who receive it. The inquiry into ....
Posted in:
Civil Law
Victoria
Road Rules and Driver Distraction
The National Transport Commission (NTC) is currently reviewing how the Australian Road Rules deal with driver distraction. The current rules relating to driver distraction were developed in 1999 when mobile phones were mainly used for calls and text messages and in-vehicle technology was limited to television screens. The review will ....
Posted in:
Australia
Traffic Law