Tasmania to introduce minimum passing laws

I am pleased to announce the Hodgman Liberal Government will introduce new laws in 2017 that will require motorists to maintain a minimum distance when passing cyclists.

This fulfils our 2014 election commitment to better protect cyclists, and comes after the ‘A Metre Matters’ successful trial work on the mainland.

The road rules will be changed to require motorists to maintain a minimum distance of:

• 1 metre when overtaking cyclists in 60 km/h or lower speed zones
• 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists in speed zones greater than 60 km/h.

The Government has already successfully laid a strong foundation for this road rule change to occur, and it will complement existing rules while strengthening messages to road users about passing cyclists safely.

A Government survey of 600 Tasmanians showed strong support for minimum passing distances, and the results of the Queensland trial assisted the Government in making this important decision.

To promote passing cyclists safely, advisory signs were installed on popular cycling routes indicating a minimum passing distance of 1 or 1.5 metres when passing cyclists. Road rules were also changed to allow motorists to cross solid centre lines in order to overtake cyclists, if safe to do so.

The Government also launched a major public education campaign ‘Distance Makes the Difference’, encouraging motorists to maintain minimum distances when passing cyclists. This award winning campaign will be ramped up to support the introduction of these new laws.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure