The one-metre rule has increased drivers' awareness of cyclists, according to Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey. Credit:Ken Irwin The laws were introduced in 2014, requiring motorists to keep one metre between themselves and bikes in 60km/h zones and 1.5 metres at faster speeds. Under the two-year trial, which replaced previous regulations requiring drivers to keep a "safe distance", cyclists issued with infringement notices could be fined $353. Drivers were allowed to cross unbroken lines to pass cyclists safely. On Tuesday, RACQ executive general manager Paul Turner told Fairfax Media the one-metre law had the advocate's "full support", despite initial worries about whether it would reduce serious crashes and injuries. An RACQ survey showed 42 per cent of Queenslanders supported the law and just 22 per cent wanted it abolished.

The same survey showed almost 18 per cent of drivers weren't aware of the laws but Mr Bailey said government research showed the number was more like 95 per cent. Police have raised concerns about difficulties in policing the laws given the difficulty in judging the distance and actually finding evidence of breaches. Mr Bailey admitted there had only been 60 fines issued to date and government officials were still talking with police about enforcement. "Of course they've got to be right there when it happens," he said. "And in most cases let's be honest, that isn't the case.

"But I think those illustrate that they would only be issued when there is a very clear breach and, look, most drivers are increasingly doing the right thing and often leaving a lot more than one metre." New South Wales rolled out its own version of the laws from March 1 and South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania had similar rules in place. On Tuesday, Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett said he was open to implementing the one-metre rule. Queensland of University of Technology's Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety (CARRS-Q) evaluated the impact of the laws, which played a key role in the decision to keep them in place. Director Professor Narelle Haworth told the ABC her team wouldn't have enough data to decide whether the law had an impact until the end of this year or the start of 2017 but early results pointed to it making a difference. "The observational studies revealed that 88 per cent of drivers left one metre or more in 60 kilometre per hour or less speed zones, and 79 per cent left 1.5 metres or more in higher speed zones," she told the ABC.

"Survey results showed that most cyclists (75 per cent) and drivers (60 per cent) believe they can accurately judge one metre when being passed by drivers or passing riders, despite research suggesting that drivers find it hard to accurately estimate lateral distances." Stay informed. Like the Brisbane Times Facebook page