Changing of road rules, 25th March

Forums › Off topic › Changing of road rules, 25th March

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Ultimate Geek

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#584228 20-Feb-2012 22:32

I used to be opposed to any change until I drove overseas some years ago and found out we were the only country in the world to be doing it our way. So bring on the change I say, I'm looking forward to it.

I'm hoping everyone gets with the programme... Last thing I need is increased car insurance premiums

mckenndk

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Ultimate Geek

#584233 20-Feb-2012 22:33

SpookyAwol:

This one for example, has been the norm in practice for some time.

The current rule should allow the red car to go first. It never worked in practice though. At least now its official in the new rules.

I have never seen the green car give way under current rules. Most dont even know that rule exists......

I lost a bet to a flatmate about this rule I always thought the green car had right of way and had to by him a pizza.

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MikeyPI

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Ultimate Geek

#584240 20-Feb-2012 22:41

some one is yet to post any compelling evidence that its an improvement, apart from "everyone does it"

Technofreak

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#584246 20-Feb-2012 22:51

MikeyPI: some one is yet to post any compelling evidence that its an improvement, apart from "everyone does it"

Oh, you mean apart from the fact the current rule is too complicated for most people, most drivers don't understand it and it doesn't work as it was intended to?

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Snowflake

#584247 20-Feb-2012 22:53

i've seen quite a few accidents where the car turning left pulls over and stops to let the right turning car have right of way - only for the right turning car to plow into a car going straight ahead and carrying the right of way. especially if the straight turning car switches lanes on a two lane road to avoid the left turning car which is slowing. this law change will definately reduce the number of these sorts of accidents.

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Klipspringer

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#584251 20-Feb-2012 22:55

Technofreak:
MikeyPI: some one is yet to post any compelling evidence that its an improvement, apart from "everyone does it"

Oh, you mean apart from the fact the current rule is too complicated for most people, most drivers don't understand it and it doesn't work as it was intended to?

I see this compelling evidence at least twice a week. Near miss between blue car and red car.

insert blue car behind green car it pic. Blue car going straight.
Blue car has right of way. Not green or red car. Sure it different if the lane is blocked off by green car, but normally green car pulls to the side.

huntlai

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#584291 21-Feb-2012 01:24

i personally looking forward for the "new" rules.. the currently rules really give me a shock when i first moved here and totally no idea why people showing anger @ me whenever I am turning left :P

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insane

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#584293 21-Feb-2012 01:37

I've driven under both rules and for sure they do have their pro's and con's. One thing which is different in NZ which should make this a little easier to transition into is that we have a lot of green arrow turn right traffic lights, where as in Australia and South Africa it's turn right at a green traffic light when it's safe, very few green arrows.

The biggest problem we have though is impatience, and a lot of undertaking is going to happen when stuck behind a right turning car.

At the moment it's hard enough forpeople to get the current rule right, so the government is taking a big chance if they think everyone will hear about this in 10 days of advertising. All those folk who have just left for a two week+ Holiday.... oh dear.

Just as well I have 10 air bags and a 5 start safety rating.... going to need it.

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#584302 21-Feb-2012 07:25

oxnsox:
SpookyAwol:Personally Im worried about roundabout confusion. Those rules haven't changed, but people are confused enough with them now.

How hard is it to be confused with the fact that if you come up to a roundabout then you're at a Give Way sign (controlled intersection). If there is someone already in the roundabout bearing down on you, then Give Way.

Simple. If they're going to hit you if you proceed then they were there first.

The confusion will stem from who to give way to. If you (loosely) apply the give way rules for a 4 way intersection, then you dont have to give way to the person turning from your right.

Ie - at a roundabout, I am turning right. A vehicle appears in front of me and is turning left. Following intersection rules, I would give way to them. Kaos.

Now, I personally know how it works.

What Im saying, is that roundabouts are confusing enough now for some people - how many people do you see on a daily basis indicating left, right or not at all for all entries into roundabouts???

Some indicate right. Go straight. Some indicate left. go straight. Some dont indicate. Go left..........
Throw in a new rule (that doesnt actually apply to roundabouts) = confusion

These are the people involved in 7% of accidents that happen now and will continue to be the 7% or more of accidents in the future

Klipspringer

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#584303 21-Feb-2012 07:33

I personally dont see why this rule should confuse anybody at roundabouts or traffic lights.

Roadsigns/traffic lights still have to be obeyed and will aleays override any giveway rule.

This is already the case where certain traffic lights (grreen/red arrows for example) override the current rule.

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#584306 21-Feb-2012 07:49

No, and it shouldnt confuse the majority.
What Im saying, is there are some out there that have no idea. They will continue to have no idea. Its just that they may have less of an idea with new rules thrown in the mix.

If the current rules were understood by all, then there would be no crashes at intersections.
Data proves otherwise. Its yet to be seen whether this new rule will make it better or worse in the long run.

wmoore

510 posts

Ultimate Geek

#584308 21-Feb-2012 07:52

reven: personally i think its stupid, the give way to right helps traffic, the person turning across always has to wait, and now they will have to wait longer.

my work is on great south road (very busy road), i turn right into my building, i have to wait until an empty spot and there are always a few cars turning left into my building, now ill have to wait for all them to turn in and then by the time that finished the lights will have changed and i will have to wait for another gap to turn into my building.

what idiot decided to change this rule?

And if you were turning left into your building you would have to wait anyway under the current rule. With the new rule those turning left can do so with the flow of traffic.
I think you will find that you won't be waiting any longer than you normally do.

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Technofreak

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#584321 21-Feb-2012 08:41

reven: personally i think its stupid, the give way to right helps traffic, the person turning across always has to wait, and now they will have to wait longer.

my work is on great south road (very busy road), i turn right into my building, i have to wait until an empty spot and there are always a few cars turning left into my building, now ill have to wait for all them to turn in and then by the time that finished the lights will have changed and i will have to wait for another gap to turn into my building.

what idiot decided to change this rule?

Do the smart thing, arrange to arrive at the building so that you turn left into the driveway. There's very few situations where this isn't possible to do without having to travel much further, it will probably be quicker and much much safer.

Daily I see drivers trying to turn right out of a shopping centre car park across a busy four lane road, when they could easily turn left, travel about 200 metres to a round-a-bout, to then go back the other way. To make matters worse they block the exit for ages stopping all other cars from exiting. This sort of driving is just plain dumb and inconsiderate.

One other rule that needs to be introduced is to allow left turns on red, (when traffic permits). It helps with traffic flow without an unnecessary increase in risk.

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freitasm

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Geekzone

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#584323 21-Feb-2012 08:44

huntlai: i personally looking forward for the "new" rules.. the currently rules really give me a shock when i first moved here and totally no idea why people showing anger @ me whenever I am turning left :P

Sorry, but any drivers coming to New Zealand should plan and learn the road rules. "Totally no idea" is not an excuse. Was it while holding a NZ licence, or still driving on your old overseas licence?

Klipspringer

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#584337 21-Feb-2012 09:26

freitasm:
huntlai: i personally looking forward for the "new" rules.. the currently rules really give me a shock when i first moved here and totally no idea why people showing anger @ me whenever I am turning left :P

Sorry, but any drivers coming to New Zealand should plan and learn the road rules. "Totally no idea" is not an excuse. Was it while holding a NZ licence, or still driving on your old overseas licence?

When I came to NZ for the first time it was on a business trip from SA.

I flew out from SA, picked up the car from the airport, showed my SA drivers licence, paid the deposit for the car and off I went. Not a peep about this rule from the car rental company.

Not once did I have any clue as to this current give way rule.

I too expereinced many problems when turning right, could not understand why everybody was being so polite and waiting for me. Then the shock/horror of turning left. I had a few near misses and only when quering it with others was it explained to me.

My fault? Maybe. But generally one expects road rules to be all very simular when one drives on the same side of the road.

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