Entered The Highway from The Exit but Pulled over upon Notice, Police Arrived Shortly

A friend of mine (around 50 yo, not fluent English) who arrived in the country about six months ago, got his licence converted to a full Victorian licence with ease by passing all the required tests. Couple of days ago, he's driving eastward on Heatherton Rd in Doveton and wants to enter the highway.

Somehow he's heard the GPS (maps) 'turn right' before arriving at the entry to the highway. He's turned right into the exit ramp and somewhere on the ramp he's noticed he's on the wrong side and has pulled over. The police has arrived shortly too.

Now he's got a fine of ~$400, 3 demerit points which all makes sense. But he's also received a letter from Vic Police stating that they've 'submitted a request to VicRoads to have his licence reviewed to ensure he's medically fit to drive'.

Anyone has had similar experiences?
What are his options?
Will his licence get suspended or cancelled?

Edit: Thank you everyone for your inputs. Some nasties are always expected lol. I'm sorry I can't answer every comment.

FYI, I have already nagged him enough on behalf of all you albeit being younger than him. He's a gentleman and has come from a very reputable career background. He understands what the consequences could have been and relieved that there wasn't any vehicles there at the time. He's remorseful of the incident.
FYI, he's done all the tests in English and can actually communicate in English but 'not fluent'.
He's done Road knowledge test, including all the modules on Vicroads website, then a Hazard Perception Test, verified his OS DL and done the actual practical driving test.
They drive on the right side of the road overseas.
It's a dangerous mistake and lots to learn from.
For now, I have told him to be more and more alert while on the road and see when Vicroads contacts him.
As a person who drives around 50000km a year, I'm all up for sanctions for dangerous driving. I'm puzzled how this has occurred.

Comments

  • +3

    But he's also received a letter from Vic Police stating that they've 'submitted a request to Vicroads to have his licence reviewed to ensure he's medically fit to drive'.

    Good to know this happens. Generally, junctions are idiot proofed and you really need to go out of your way to go the wrong way. From a quick look at Street view, it looks like this junction is no exception.

  • If you know your friend is fit to drive, they shouldn't worry about the letter.

    But I remember after clubbing, I was the designated driver and drove my friends home. In Sydney, I accidentally turned into the oncoming traffic of the M1 at a huge intersection, i seriously don't know how I managed that but lucky it was like 3am so no cars around.

    We all make mistakes, everyone is not perfect at driving.

    • +2

      The most dangerous situation in such cases is where there is few or no cars/traffic. If there were cars then you wouldn't turned to that way because you can see that it is the wrong way!!!

    • I've got a relative by marriage who was seriously injured years ago by a Saturday night drunk doing exactly this on a freeway in Brisbane. The drunk (a woman, actually) was killed.

  • Not that it absolves him of responsibility, but there are common issues with some bluetooth connections that cut off the first part of the GPS directions. Mine does this if I have to use google maps, it is very annoying.

    So "In 300 meters, turn right" turns into "-eters, Turn Right"

    You say he has passed Australian driving tests. People have been ignoring that part a lot to rail against drivers with foreign licenses.

    The solution to both things should be to make driving tests A) Mandatory for everyone, regardless of foreign licensing, B) harder and C) very cheap. I think we should also force routine re-testing in more cases; such as dangerous infractions like your freind committed, but also reckless driving, owning a BMW, or repeated speeding in school zones. If someone is driving carelessly or badly too often they have to take a day off, slap L plates on and not knock over some pylons while someone watches them, which is a bigger deterrant for some people than a fine.

    • +5

      You say he has passed Australian driving tests.

      No, deceptive language, all he said was his friend followed the procedures to convert International license to Vic License - it's you assuming that means passing Australian driver test (hint: it doesn't) …

  • +5

    A friend of mine (around 50 yo, not fluent English) who arrived in the country about six months ago, got his licence converted to a full Victorian licence with easeby passing all the required tests.

    IMO, someone who's not fluent in English shouldn't be able to simply 'convert' their homegrown license without jumping through the same hoops as everyone else, or at least without taking basic literacy test.

    The fact that your 'friend' took a bold and breathtakingly stupid route means they obviously can't read road signs. Stop blaming the GPS.

  • -3

    Why would it be something to do with "medical"? I think it is more about experience, comprehension and understanding.
    Everybody makes mistakes. Even if you pass all the written, practical, and knowledge tests you can still encounter weird cases not found in the tests. Some of the road designs here can be intimidating and confusing with branches going everywhere. It's hard for newbies. In one of my practical tests, the instructor once said to turn right, and I turned right and entered the opposite way, there's no sign or marking what so ever.

    • Cognition is a medical issue.

  • -3

    Reminds me at a new immigrant from China.
    Ge got a license and a job as a tourist driver.
    Drives a minibus from the terminal and stops in the middle of the airport road to take a dump in the mangroves.
    Much to the amusements of the tourists taking happy snaps. Fed cops are bewildered when the driver told them: That is what we do in China!!

  • +8

    I can imagine you phoning your mate: "be careful, there is one dangerous driver going the wrong way on the freeway"

    Him responding: "it's not just one going the wrong way, it's all of em!"

  • +9

    Your friend should just stay off the road before he kills someone

  • +6

    got his licence converted to a full Victorian licence with easeby passing all the required tests.

    got his licence converted to a full Victorian licence with ease bypassing all the required tests.

    • +1

      That would show the incompetence of the licensing authorities.

  • +7

    will keep an eye out for the vid on dcoa

  • +3

    Assuming traffic camera operators saw him on camera and alerted police. Must have travelled more than on the ramp

    • +2

      (or sat there waiting for help. Someone who can't do a U-turn unassisted probably needs a medical review)

  • +1

    The road environment changes from country to country. This feels like an honest mistake, as your friend drives more and more they'll become more aware of our driving conventions.

    You might be able to get leniency on the fine, you should look this up. If their driving record is otherwise clean, If you write an apology accepting fault they might be able to reduce the fine to a warning

  • +1

    Ubers, taxis and public transport for this friend is the solution. Cannot be trusted to operate a vehicle for public safety.

  • +4

    He could've wiped out someone's family. He shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a vehicle again until he's completed his full prac test.

  • +4

    I once nearly had a head on by some old bastard in a camry going full speed on the wrong side of the road. All 3 lanes of traffic came to a sudden complete stop to avoid hitting us. He then proceeds to high beam us. Get these shits off the road permanently.

  • Good he got caught, see this type of thing all the time, I think should be a bad driving hotline if they get reports from multiple verified users over a short period of time they should have licence reviewed.

    • +1

      There is a bad driving hotline. You call the police, and when they have time they might visit the driver for a chat. If multiple reports, they send a letter. It's probably used only if the driver is caught by actual police. Dashcam footage still doesn't seem to be enough.

      • (Police non emergency line. )

        Driving down the highway on the wrong side i think would warrant a 000 call.

        • …which isn't the case here.

  • +1

    Need ms paint to understand

    • +3

      I just chatted to him. He completely understands what happened.

  • +1

    Thankfully he's off the roads and he's lucky he didn't cause anything serious.
    Send him this link > https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/journey/

  • +4

    All overseas drivers who intend to live and drive in Australia, should be forced to do the whole driving qualifications, starting from passing the L’s test to a driving test and then sit as a P plater for a few years. Allows them to get familiar with road rules, and makes it safer for other on the road. Ive seen some drivers from overseas, use their indicators, and the immediately tuen as soon as their indicators are on… they take the word indicator literally, the indicators is asking permission to merge into another lane or letting other drivers your intentions to turn or merge…. Too many times I’ve been in close calls coz overseas drivers use their own country’s road manners rather than australian states.

    • +1

      I've seen "Australians" do that too.

      Out of all the reasons to make foreigners res-it tests….

  • +5

    But did he have comprehensive insurance?

    • Most important question in this thread

  • +3

    So the defence is, the GPS told me to do it? You can't be serious.

  • lucky there are no o-bahn busways in Doveton
    I cannot fathom how anyone can make that mistake but it happens often enough
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-21/review-underway-after…
    .

  • +2

    What intrigues me about this story is that heading into oncoming traffic on the wrong side of a freeway - with a closing speed of at least 160 km/h - only gets you a $400 fine. I was just reading a media report that in Queensland your passenger wearing their seatbelt wrongly adjusted - detected by an AI camera - gets you a $1078 fine. I know which I consider the far more serious offence.

    The huge fine in Queensland for an offence that probably only slightly increases the risk of injury for the person concerned in a modern airbag equipped car, and is no risk to anyone else, but which they can use AI to catch lots of people doing, versus a much smaller fine for something potentially hugely more dangerous, does increase the perception that its about revenue.

  • +2

    Yeah, some of these foreigners are NOT capable of driving in Australia when they follow their old country habits like making illegal U turn and not giving way and caused multi cars accidents!

    • +1

      Yep - Indian Ocean Drive. So many Asian tourists have been killed or caused accidents in that road, some of the road signs are now in Chinese!

  • +1

    What are his options? Will his licence get suspended or cancelled?

    options, go get a medical eval or hand in license. Whether he passes or not will determine whether he keeps or loses his license. Obviously the police interaction with him indicated to them that the issue was far more than just taking a wrong turn and they suspect mental or medical deficiencies affecting his ability to drive.

  • +1

    Thank god, too many cereal box licence drivers out there.

    Should all be retested by VicRoads after 60 days (exc holidaymakers etc) unless the country they're coming from is recognised as a reciprocal standard to Australia IMO.

  • Could just be a momentary lapse in judgement, happens to the best of us. Assuming your friend has all the required driving skills, should have no problem passing the tests or at best slightly re-educate if needed. Better to be safe than sorry.

    • +4

      Agreed, but this is far more than that. A momentary lapse in judgement generally doesn't result in going around median strips, ignoring signs, road markings, etc.

      • -3

        Absent minded driving is more common than you think.

  • +3

    Yeah
    Could've killed someone with that.
    IMHO should've gone harder.

  • +1

    Thats where having signs on the off ramp saying wrong way are good if someone manages to take the wrong turn.

    Yesterday in regional Victoria i saw a vehicle in front of me slow down looking for the on ramp to get onto the Princess highway they nearly turned into the off ramp road then they realised and continued the next 50m to get onto the on ramp.

    At this location there is no median strip stoping them turning right only one No Right Turn Sign (Symbolic) (450mm x 450mm) a bit small i would have thought for this location thats leaning over a bit if that sign falls over someone could turn onto the off ramp.

    You can see from the on ramp big wrong way signs on the off ramp so at least they should stop before they actually to the highway.

    I will put in a request to vicroads once i get off here about the leaning sign and if they could review this offramp.

  • +4

    Only $400 fine?

    Your friend needs to learn how to drive and read Australian signs. He could have killed somebody.

    Thank god he got stopped before anyone got injured.

  • +2

    Dude drives the wrong way up a freeway on-ramp and you're surprised by the police action in this case?

    Fine sounds about right and if he is as good a driver as you say, then the license review shouldn't be an issue. As for "medical" reasons, what did he do or say that gave the police the feeling that they needed to put it in for a medical review? Maybe didn't/couldn't see the signs??

  • +1

    I know where you're talking about.
    Its the Eastlink entrance?
    You have to do a full loop from Heatherton rd then pass the exit and I think its quite obvious that its not an entrance, and the entrance is after those lights.
    Its not far from me so I'm going to go check them out again.

  • +1

    If it was this intersection.. how is that even possible

    https://www.google.com/maps/@-37.972323,145.2363309,3a,75y,1…

    • Maybe OP's friend is a genius. You have to be very innovative.

      Magically OP's friend can speak English when doing their podcast / youtube / lecturing at their real estate investment courses.

    • I think he went through the single right turning exit not the 2 lane left turning exit.

      The single right turning exit location follows a 'natural' driving path from his starting position.

      https://www.google.com/maps/@-37.9725098,145.2365374,3a,75y,…

  • +3

    Hopefully his licence will be cancelled and he will have to take a proper driving test. If he is a resident of Australia and can't speak English, he shouldn't be here.

  • +1

    I hope that the roads authorities do a proper check before they put him back on the road. Thankfully no one was harmed or worse.

  • +1

    Thanks for the entertainment.

  • +1

    Everyone from overseas I know: “But driving in Australia is sooo easy.”

  • 50 YO is old enough to handle his own affairs, but clearly not adult enough to drive safely,( from whatever piss-poor driving standards country your old mate comes from). He won't die without driving on the roads here, but other people will definitely live, because of it.
    Spin on

  • +2

    I'm so glad something actually came of this - sick and tired of seeing people driving the wrong way down major highways/roads because they're either not concentrating or don't know how to drive.
    I reckon I've seen it at least 10 times, all in the last 3 years. So incredibly dangerous

  • +1

    OP, I have all the sympathy in the world for people who came from overseas but your story only proved that your mate is a danger to other road users. He could be the best driver where he came from but if he cant read road sign and focuses on where he is going, with or without map, he is simply unfit to be on the road.

    Ask him to do the learner test in English. Then do a refresher course. I did that course despite holding a full license because there was a 5 year period when I lived overseas and did not drive often.

    • -6

      I'm not condoning what he did but It appears the vast majority here have never done anything stupid on the road. Hope you give yourselves 5 stars.

      I knew my post would bring out the PERFECT drivers to neg me.

      Every driver has done something stupid on the road.

      How many has driven when over the limit or have drugs in their system? Do you call that stupid?

      • +1

        Nobody said they were perfect, but a reasonable driver should be able to correct a mistake made.

        This guy sat there long enough for the police to be called and arrive, that shows a very low capacity to drive.

        We also don't know how far he went down the on ramp. I checked, there are arrows, a red sign, and other traffic.

        Maybe OPs "friend" is incredibly unlucky and the police just happened to be there at the perfect time. But I'm not convinced.

        • -2

          Nobody said they were perfect, but a reasonable driver should be able to correct a mistake made.

          You missed the point. Everyone that drives has made stupid mistakes. If they say they haven't they are liars yet they are laying into someone without knowing all the facts.

          How about we begin with your stupid mistakes.

          • +1

            @CurlCurl:

            How about we begin with your stupid mistakes.

            Sure,

            In namibia i drove into a one way street. I was met head on by another vehicle. I stopped, apologised (the driver waved), checked it was clear, and reversed back out.

            I then evaluated what i did wrong, i noticed they had different placements for one way streeets (and different colours). Their sign placement was past the intersection. From then on I was very cautious.

            What i didnt do was panic, sit there and wait for the police to arrive. I recognised the issue, tried to resolve it quickly with minimal impact to other drivers, and learned what i did wrong so it didnt happen again.

            • -1

              @Davo1111:

              In namibia i drove into a one way street. I was met head on by another vehicle. I stopped, apologised (the driver waved), checked it was clear, and reversed back out.

              What i didnt do was panic, sit there and wait for the police to arrive. I recognised the issue, tried to resolve it quickly with minimal impact to other drivers, and learned what i did wrong so it didnt happen again.

              Well, there you go hey. Yiu may have caused an accident or killed someone.

              How do you know OPs friend panicked and waited for the police?

              • +1

                @CurlCurl:

                How do you know OPs friend panicked and waited for the police?

                I think it's way more likely.

                "The police has arrived shortly too."

                That sounds like he was there more than the 10 seconds it takes to do a U-turn.

                Why did the police waste the resources ordering a medical if they were certain it was a genuine mistake?

                • @Davo1111:

                  I think it's way more likely.

                  "The police has arrived shortly too."

                  Define 'shortly'.

                  That sounds like he was there more than the 10 seconds it takes to do a U-turn.

                  With cars and trucks coming up the on ramp towards him?

                  Why did the police waste the resources ordering a medical if they were certain it was a genuine mistake?

                  Maybe because of his confusion and lack of English.

                  • @CurlCurl:

                    Define 'shortly'.

                    This reminds me of those cop shows where they say "yeah you caught me breaking the law the first time". Our police force must be incredibly lucky.

                    Maybe because of his confusion

                    Exactly why he shouldnt be driving.

                    • @Davo1111:

                      This reminds me of those cop shows where they say "yeah you caught me breaking the law the first time". Our police force must be incredibly lucky.

                      I like it when magistrate says 'it's your first offence so I find you guilty with no conviction recorded'. First offence my %#$&. It's the first time they've been caught.

                      Have a mate in Highway Patrol. Told me he could fill 3 books every shift, as everyone breaks multiple laws every time they drive.

      • What do you think should happen to OP's friend? Is a health assessment fair?

        • What do you think should happen to OP's friend? Is a health assessment fair?

          No. I think a health assessment is a wank. It should be an English and comprehension test. Why test his BP, eyes, diabetes or give him an ECG etc?

          • @CurlCurl: I would make the assumption there would be a mental health aspect to the test.

            https://austroads.com.au/drivers-and-vehicles/assessing-fitn…

            • @ihfree:

              I would make the assumption there would be a mental health aspect to the test.

              I would assume that maybe you assume too much.

              • @CurlCurl:

                test his BP, eyes, diabetes or give him an ECG etc

                Based off your comment, it seems you think he needs to go to a GP for a check up.

                There's more to being medically fit than physical condition. Feel free to follow the link and read the guidelines.

                Either way, it's unlikely we have the full story from OP.

                • @ihfree:

                  Based off your comment, it seems you think he needs to go to a GP for a check

                  That may well be the case. I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy plus a pacemaker/defibrillator fitted. I have a medical every year by my GP.

                  I am not asked if I have Blackouts, Musculoskeletal conditions, Psychiatric conditions, Substance abuse, Sleep disorders, Neurological conditions, Hearing loss and deafness.

                  Friend of mine daughter wants her Ls. Her parents were honest (I know two parents that wont) on the medical form. The daughter attention deficit disorder and will need more than just a straight medical as I do.

          • @CurlCurl: By all means, continue to share your entirely uninformed opinion based on incorrect assumptions.

            A directed driving health assessment is not heading into your GP and asking for the standard check-up. It is specifically targeting the things that might be wrong that would impact your ability to safely handle a motor vehicle. For example, eyesight, epilepsy, narcolepsy, and especially for older people dementia. So yes, it will include a comprehension test.

    • +1

      Not sure about you but I have never driven on the wrong side of the road..

  • +2

    Similar incident happened to my friend as well.

    The issue is people from third-world country allowed to convert their license to Australian license without going through L - P1 - P2 - Full license pathway so they make these silly mistakes. Government should not let them convert the license with no restrictions.

    I came in 2018 and got my full license in 6 months from 3rd world country. I made a lot of silly mistakes as well, now that I think of it (such as driving in tram lane).

  • I work in the trade industry. I often drive to places where they roads hasn't even been built or it's been built but only last week. It hasn't even been put onto the maps.

    So I just sit in my ute and cry because the street doesn't exist in Google maps?

    • Just take a compass bearing and bulldoze you way to the job site.

    • Throw a random track with "turn right now" onto your playlist and be ready to follow directions instantly without thought.

  • Is not fluent in English a reason he shouldn't be fined, etc?

  • Bro that’s ridiculous, read the signs on the road first and foremost - lucky he isn’t dead or killed someone else

  • +1

    Well done vicpol

  • +1

    Instead of paying for more traffic tickets down the road, invest some money and learn English.
    As mush as one might wish, we ain't going to start driving on the right hand side or change the national tongue.

  • +2

    I just checked street view and there are arrows painted on the road pointing the wrong way. Then obviously the "wrong way go back" sign. (And any of the cars facing him).

    He must have sat there for quite a while before the camera operators called the police and they arrived. Given the current state of our police force, that probably took a while.

    I think your friend is playing down what happened.

  • Without sufficient English knowledge, how come this person stayed in the country for 6 months, and obtained the driver's licence too?

    • He understands the GPS instructions quite well so it is doubtful that his English is insufficient.

      • GPS may have multiple language options.

  • +1

    Lets be honest, lots of native english drivers here cant drive either. What about the muppet that killed the two families in Daylesford? Shouldnt have been behind the wheel and as english as they come.

    • +1

      Yes natives are terrible that's why you need to be even harder on those that don't have to follow the full license pathway.

  • +2

    Patiently waits for the next few episodes of Dashcam Australia and Scotty's Cameras on YouTube to see if there's a numpty entering a highway from the exit

    🍿🍿🍿

  • +1

    If the GPS tells you to drive off a cliff do you drive off the cliff then, stop after you have driven off the cliff?

    • Or drive into a lake like Michael Scott.

  • For everyones safety please send them back home

    • +8

      Ok

    • +5

      They need to have their licences reviewed to ensure they're medically fit to drive.

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