Aussie drivers have been reminded not to make a common mistake when they see people standing on a pedestrian refuge island, with a leading motoring body stressing that vehicles have the right of way – but that little-known road rule doesn’t mean motorists can stop being vigilant.

The Royal Automobile Association of South Australia pointed out the error in a recent Facebook post which featured a photo of one of the safety features along with the question, “Who gives way at a refuge island: the motorist or the pedestrian?”

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The RAA’s post then read: “The answer: pedestrians give way. Refuge islands let pedestrians cross one direction of traffic at a time, but they aren’t priority crossings like a zebra crossing. Pedestrians still need to wait for a safe gap in traffic.

“But that’s not the whole story. Some pedestrians mistake refuge islands for crossings where they have priority and may step out in front of drivers. Drivers, slow down to a speed where you can stop if you need to.”

While the post is based on the rules in South Australia, the advice applies elsewhere too. The rules around refuge islands are basically the same in NSW, where drivers aren’t legally required to stop unless a pedestrian is already in their path, or the island is part of a combined zebra crossing, or a crossing with a signal.

That also goes for Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania – where pedestrians must also use a formal zebra crossing or traffic light if it’s within 20 metres of the island – as well as the NT and ACT. 

Aussie drivers can now add the pedestrian refuge island laws to other road rules that often take motorists by surprise. For example, briefly wandering away from your unlocked car while filling up at the servo or dashing into a shop to make a quick purchase can result in a fine in most parts of the country.

Then there’s failing to correctly stow away a solar screen, which can result in a fine of up to $420 and three demerit points in NSW, or a fine of $389 in Queensland. That came to light last month when a driver was busted in the NSW high country after a police officer spotted his reflective screen was kept in a spot where the light bouncing off it was likely to distract another driver.