‘Aussies, please explain’: Road rule stumps

Meg, a 24-year-old Brit currently living in Australia, took to social media to share the simple rule that has everyone so confused.

An Aussie road rule has officially got tourists stumped.

Down Under, there are lots of things that we do differently than other places around the world.

One of them is our crossings.

With a sound iconic enough to have made it into a Billie Eilish song, you would think the rest of the world would have gotten on board with how it all works by now.

But, apparently, that’s not the case.

British traveller Meg Alice took to social media to ask Aussies how it all works, after a confusing first few days in the country.

“Australians, please, can you explain your road crossing system?” she said.

“Why is the green man flashing at me put cars are still driving through??? Also, why does it take 400 years to be able to cross???”

Meg told news.com.au that she and her boyfriend have only been in the country since last Thursday, and along with the early cafe closures and temperamental weather, the crossings have confused them the most.

She did say that she loved the sound that the lights made.

Tourists and expats are getting confused by a simple Aussie road rule. Picture: TikTok.

Meg is travelling in Melbourne and Sydney. Picture: TikTok.

But, as far as the confusion aspect goes, it seems she’s not alone, with a number of people saying they feel the same way.

“Also why’s the green man lasting .5 seconds? I take one step and it’s red again,” one person shared.

“Just back from Australia, couldn’t work this out at all! Green on for turning left, green man also on at that turn!” another agreed.

Thankfully, some helpful locals were able to explain how it all works – or at least, how it’s supposed to work.

“Green man means you get to go, and cars give way, but if no one is walking or you’re already most of the way and no longer in the lane the cars are wanting to go into, they will go,” one person said.

“If the green man is flashing and cars are turning, then they are supposed to be giving way to you but aren’t at a full stop,” another agreed.

Pedestrian lights are the same across Australia. Picture: iStock.

This was corroborated by Transport for NSW, who, in a statement to news.com.au, said that across the country, pedestrian lights work in a set order.

“First, the green walking person shows that it’s safe for pedestrians to start crossing. Then the light changes to a flashing red person. This means pedestrians should not start crossing, but anyone already on the road can finish crossing safely,” a spokesperson said.

“Sometimes a green right-turn arrow for cars will appear while the red pedestrian light is flashing. This is normal. At this stage, pedestrians should not be stepping onto the road, and the signals are timed so that cars and people do not get in each other’s way.”

They also advised tourists, and locals, to be vigilant – allowing yourself enough time to cross the road, and keeping your eyes in front of you, instead of on your phone.

“Our main tip is to stay alert, cross at traffic lights with pedestrian signals and always take an extra moment to stop and look out before you step out,” the spokesperson shared.

Originally published as ‘Aussies, please explain’: Road rule stumps