Muppets on the road

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1014 posts

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#1881934 11-Oct-2017 13:01

Geektastic:
cadman:

MikeB4:...we need to address the woeful compliance with current rules first.

I think that lack of compliance is largely driven by frustration at the excessively cautious nature of the current controls at every intersection. Not being able to turn right just because of the red arrow when you have a clear view of oncoming vehicles for example - it's utterly ridiculous. Also, people are becoming very disconnected from driving by having every single opportunity to think for themselves taken away, so they often simply stop thinking as a response.

Do you seriously believe the rules here are More strict than they are in other places with lower road tolls?

I believe the overuse of available control options here in places where they are quite simply excessive leads to people being disengaged from their driving which is dangerous. I don't need a red arrow to tell me not to turn right across the path of an approaching truck - I have the GIVE WAY rule to apply.

nzkiwiman

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#1881941 11-Oct-2017 13:17

Having just come back from Japan, I was scared to get back behind the wheel in New Zealand.
I did because it is how I get around - no fast train network in Dunedin to rely on :-)

Simple courtesy has disappeared from New Zealand - as soon as we get behind the wheel, everyone and everything doesn't matter

That and no one seems to know the road rules anymore

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

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#1881942 11-Oct-2017 13:18

Sounds like Dunedin has caught up with Auckland's driving habits :-(

Geektastic

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#1882174 11-Oct-2017 23:33

nzkiwiman:

Having just come back from Japan, I was scared to get back behind the wheel in New Zealand.
I did because it is how I get around - no fast train network in Dunedin to rely on :-)

Simple courtesy has disappeared from New Zealand - as soon as we get behind the wheel, everyone and everything doesn't matter

That and no one seems to know the road rules anymore

One thing I have noticed here is that it is a rare occasion indeed when anyone lets anyone else out of a side road or junction as a courtesy.

dickytim

2514 posts

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#1882189 12-Oct-2017 06:18

Geektastic:

nzkiwiman:

Having just come back from Japan, I was scared to get back behind the wheel in New Zealand.
I did because it is how I get around - no fast train network in Dunedin to rely on :-)

Simple courtesy has disappeared from New Zealand - as soon as we get behind the wheel, everyone and everything doesn't matter

That and no one seems to know the road rules anymore

One thing I have noticed here is that it is a rare occasion indeed when anyone lets anyone else out of a side road or junction as a courtesy.

I have a rule for this, if I am going under 20km/h and can slow to leave a gap I do. If the traffic ahead is stopped I will let cars in.

If I am going at 30km/h and letting them in will require me to brake when I wouldn't have had to I will keep going.

I do notice if I let someone in, the people behind will tend to do the same.

At the end of the day letting a few cars in doesn't slow me or anyone else down.

What I will not do is let rat-runners in that are clearly using a merging lane to try and get 10 car places ahead, they can get stuffed!

Batman

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#1882193 12-Oct-2017 06:57

kryptonjohn:

Sounds like Dunedin has caught up with Auckland's driving habits :-(

It has unfortunately! Though the maniacs I have encountered who are not myself, look very young - no gender disparity on this front.

Bung

6488 posts

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#1882197 12-Oct-2017 07:06

cadman:
I believe the overuse of available control options here in places where they are quite simply excessive leads to people being disengaged from their driving which is dangerous. I don't need a red arrow to tell me not to turn right across the path of an approaching truck - I have the GIVE WAY rule to apply.

The red arrow is probably to "protect" the pedestrian phase in the sidestreet, that thing you've forgotten while watching the truck.

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floydbloke

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#1882223 12-Oct-2017 07:28

Bung:
cadman:

I believe the overuse of available control options here in places where they are quite simply excessive leads to people being disengaged from their driving which is dangerous. I don't need a red arrow to tell me not to turn right across the path of an approaching truck - I have the GIVE WAY rule to apply.

The red arrow is probably to "protect" the pedestrian phase in the sidestreet, that thing you've forgotten while watching the truck.

They are often accompanied by a regular green arrow, deliberately put there so that the right turning traffic gets an opportunity to freely make the turn while forcing the straight through traffic from the opposite direction to give way.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

MikeB4

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#1882282 12-Oct-2017 09:06

cadman:

Geektastic:
cadman:

MikeB4:...we need to address the woeful compliance with current rules first.

I think that lack of compliance is largely driven by frustration at the excessively cautious nature of the current controls at every intersection. Not being able to turn right just because of the red arrow when you have a clear view of oncoming vehicles for example - it's utterly ridiculous. Also, people are becoming very disconnected from driving by having every single opportunity to think for themselves taken away, so they often simply stop thinking as a response.

Do you seriously believe the rules here are More strict than they are in other places with lower road tolls?

I believe the overuse of available control options here in places where they are quite simply excessive leads to people being disengaged from their driving which is dangerous. I don't need a red arrow to tell me not to turn right across the path of an approaching truck - I have the GIVE WAY rule to apply.

There are so many drivers that believe their green light trumps all other road rules. I have had quite a few near misses while crossing on a green cross signal by cars turning right or left. I have also had them come right up to me tooting their stupid horns, I guess those extra 2 seconds it takes me to mount the curb in my chair must have a devastating impact on their lives.

ScuL

487 posts

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#1882350 12-Oct-2017 10:46

As an imported Kiwi I can genuinely say that sometimes the green light situation in NZ can be very confusing.

It's totally possible, on some intersections, to get a green light whereas you still have to give way to oncoming traffic.
In many countries this isn't possible; green means free to go.

So as a new driver or visitor to NZ it can be lethal thinking that you are free to go whereas the oncoming traffic expects you to give way.

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

Bung

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#1882404 12-Oct-2017 12:19

ScuL:
So as a new driver or visitor to NZ it can be lethal thinking that you are free to go whereas the oncoming traffic expects you to give way.

Can you be more specific maybe with an example?

Normally a green would mean any turning across opposing traffic would follow give way rules. A green arrow should mean opposing traffic is held on a red. Green left arrow and opposing green right arrow "should" be ok if there are separate lanes for the traffic to turn into but aren't normally used where the turning traffic can lane change.

cadman

1014 posts

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#1882407 12-Oct-2017 12:23

kryptonjohn:

Sounds like Dunedin has caught up with Auckland's driving habits :-(

Quite the opposite...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/news/9378767/Dunedin-drivers-the-worst-in-NZ

cadman

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#1882408 12-Oct-2017 12:25

Bung:
cadman:

I believe the overuse of available control options here in places where they are quite simply excessive leads to people being disengaged from their driving which is dangerous. I don't need a red arrow to tell me not to turn right across the path of an approaching truck - I have the GIVE WAY rule to apply.

The red arrow is probably to "protect" the pedestrian phase in the sidestreet, that thing you've forgotten while watching the truck.

I've never forgotten to check for pedestrians crossing with a signal in 25 years of driving so I think it's there for a reason that is not self-evident.

cadman

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#1882413 12-Oct-2017 12:36

floydbloke:

Bung:
cadman:

I believe the overuse of available control options here in places where they are quite simply excessive leads to people being disengaged from their driving which is dangerous. I don't need a red arrow to tell me not to turn right across the path of an approaching truck - I have the GIVE WAY rule to apply.

The red arrow is probably to "protect" the pedestrian phase in the sidestreet, that thing you've forgotten while watching the truck.

They are often accompanied by a regular green arrow, deliberately put there so that the right turning traffic gets an opportunity to freely make the turn while forcing the straight through traffic from the opposite direction to give way.

It used to be there was only a green (and amber) arrow to give them opportunity that they may not otherwise get. The red arrow prevents opportunity unnecessarily in most cases. If people aren't capable of applying the GIVE WAY rule, they just shouldn't have driver's licences. As someone mentioned before - mandatory practical retesting every 10 years should be a minimum rather than simply taking a fee and checking their vision. Bad habits creep in. I would also add to that compulsory automatic driver's licence suspension for anyone that is at least partly at-fault in any accident until they are fully retested.

cadman

1014 posts

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#1882424 12-Oct-2017 12:40

ScuL:

As an imported Kiwi I can genuinely say that sometimes the green light situation in NZ can be very confusing.

It's totally possible, on some intersections, to get a green light whereas you still have to give way to oncoming traffic.

Yikes. "Totally possible"? It's compulsory! The rule is simple to remember - if turning, give way to traffic that is not turning.

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