School zones and merging traffic?

[Skyryder]

Two questions pertaining to road laws.

SCHOOL ZONES. I drive past five school zones. One of these has a sign stating hours. This is a large white sign.
1. Are the posted hours standard or do they vary with school or locality?
2. Does this type of sign ‘always’ indicate the presence of 40kph lights?
3. What is the speed limit outside of these hours.

There is also the standard sign. This is a bright green in colour simply stating SCHOOL ZONE.
1. This is a 40kph area. Are these sign subject to times or is this a 40kph 24 hour and seven days a week.
2. Same colour sign but indictates school crossing. This may or may not be outside a school. Does this sign also have a designated speed zone of 40kph?


Second part has to do with merging lanes.

While it is courteous for both lanes to indicate they are merging I have noticed that in effect only way lane is designated as the merging lane where a merging lane sign is displayed. In most cases this is the inside lane but there are merging lanes where the outside is the merging lane ie Hornby mall in Christchurch.

1. Is the driver in the through lane, that is the none designated merging lane, required by law to indicate?

While I aprreciate any and all answeres to this where can I find the definitive answers to all this.

Skyryder

[Badjelly]

Is the driver in the through lane, that is the non-designated merging lane, required by law to indicate?

Indicate what?

I don't usually indicate when merging, whatever lane I'm in, on the grounds that it's bloody obvious what I'm doing. But perhaps I need to read the Road Code.

[mister.koz]

You don't have to indicate and (from my interpretation) the person in the merging lane (the one disappearing) has right of way.

At a guess i would say that a 40km/h sign without a timeframe means 40km/h all day every day.

[Badjelly]

RE merging, the Road Code describes several merging situations:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode/about-driving/merging.html

The first one shows two "equal" lanes merging. It says "merge like a zip" and doesn't mention indicating or any difference in priority between the two lanes.

The second and thrid show a lane in which traffic that has just joined the road is merging into the main flow. It says the traffic on the merging lane has to indicate and adjust speed to fit into gaps.

[mister.koz]

RE merging, the Road Code describes several merging situations:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode/about-driving/merging.html

The first one shows two "equal" lanes merging. It says "merge like a zip" and doesn't mention indicating or any difference in priority between the two lanes.

The second and thrid show a lane in which traffic that has just joined the road is merging into the main flow. It says the traffic on the merging lane has to indicate and adjust speed to fit into gaps.

Excellent, thanks man.

[sunhuntin]

merging: it depends on what lane im in. if im in the right, then i dont indicate. i do slow to allow vehicles from the left in. if im in the left, i do indicate, and speed up to get in the lane before it runs out [depending on the traffic in the right lane]

schools: i treat all schools as having 40k speed limits, whether posted or not. this includes weekdays during school holidays, as i figure kids may be accustomed to having safe crossing there and might not check first. and that goes all day, everyday.

[Number One]

This the only one I can answer for sure.....


There is also the standard sign. This is a bright green in colour simply stating SCHOOL ZONE.
1. This is a 40kph area. Are these sign subject to times or is this a 40kph 24 hour and seven days a week. Def best to obey that 24/7...according to the speed camera fine I got recently from travelling past a school at just on 50 at around 11pm at night...OOPS!. There isn't even one of those signs where I got it too

[Max Preload]

Two questions pertaining to road laws.

SCHOOL ZONES. I drive past five school zones. One of these has a sign stating hours. This is a large white sign.
1. Are the posted hours standard or do they vary with school or locality?
2. Does this type of sign ‘always’ indicate the presence of 40kph lights?
3. What is the speed limit outside of these hours.

There is also the standard sign. This is a bright green in colour simply stating SCHOOL ZONE.
1. This is a 40kph area. Are these sign subject to times or is this a 40kph 24 hour and seven days a week.
2. Same colour sign but indictates school crossing. This may or may not be outside a school. Does this sign also have a designated speed zone of 40kph?


1. Hours may vary.
2. No. The sign is not accompanied by lights.
3. The speed limit outside of the specified hours of operation is the normal speed limit for that road.

1. The SCHOOL ZONE sign is informative only. No speed limit is attached to it.
2. The SCHOOL CROSSING sign is informative only. No speed limit is attached to it.

School zones speed limits are not 40km/h unless there are signs that are in operation at the time. Schools must apply to have this provision. See here (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roads/traffic-notes/traffic-note-37-rev1.pdf).

As for the question you're asking about merging, I can't work out what you are asking - the School Zone one was hard enough to decipher. That aside if you are crossing any white line parallel to your direction of travel, you must indicate.


Def best to obey that 24/7...according to the speed camera fine I got recently from travelling past a school at just on 50 at around 11pm at night...OOPS!. There isn't even one of those signs where I got it too

That's completely wrong. You should contest it.

[The Pastor]

Im not sure if this is helpful, but i find school zones and merging lanes, prime location for wheelies.

[Number One]

That's completely wrong. You should contest it.

O bit late now it's all paid up and gone from my mind...DAMMIT

[The Stranger]

Indicate what?

I don't usually indicate when merging, whatever lane I'm in, on the grounds that it's bloody obvious what I'm doing. But perhaps I need to read the Road Code.

I don't believe (though could be wrong) that there is a requirement to indicate at a merge, however either way I believe that it is prudent for the following reasons.
1) A flashing light attracts attention. Someone who may not have seen you may notice your flashing light instead.
2) I indicate for those I haven't seen.
3) A vehicle may have been overtaking a truck (for example) and missed the fact that the road merges at about that point. This happens surprisingly often.

[Skyryder]

The reason I ask on the merging lane is that there is a requirment to indicate when changing lanes. I am assuming that the merging lane is considered to be the changing lane and is therefore required to indicate.

Skyryder

[Badjelly]

The reason I ask on the merging lane is that there is a requirment to indicate when changing lanes. I am assuming that the merging lane is considered to be the changing lane and is therefore required to indicate.

Yes, but there a situations where neither lane is clearly the "merging lane". (See my post above.) In this case I don't think it is necessary or desirable to indicate.

[Trumpess]

Only my 2 cents worth.

The left lane of a merging lanes generally indicates to merge, out of courtesy to be let in - merge like a zip. The right hand lane generally has right of way.
It really amazes me how many people cant grasp the concept of merging like a zip, only to acheive a car length ahead. We are all in a hurry going in the same direction, what gives??

As for schools, even though it is not in the current road code, it is now mandatory to drive past a school at 40kms regardless of what time of day it is and regardless if there is no road sign dictating so. Apparently the school sign is justifyable enough.
There have been ads on the radio and in newspapers about it.
There was a write up in my local newspaper dictating the rule. If you get caught doing 5kms over the 40kms past a school you will be ticketed.
I dont know how schools situated on a 100km highway get on.

[Skyryder]

If you get caught doing 5kms over the 40kms past a school you will be ticketed.


So is this 24-7?

Skyryder

[Max Preload]

Only my 2 cents worth.

<snip>

As for schools, even though it is not in the current road code, it is now mandatory to drive past a school at 40kms regardless of what time of day it is and regardless if there is no road sign dictating so. Apparently the school sign is justifyable enough.
There have been ads on the radio and in newspapers about it.
There was a write up in my local newspaper dictating the rule. If you get caught doing 5kms over the 40kms past a school you will be ticketed.
I dont know how schools situated on a 100km highway get on.

I think you're overvaluing your contribution... :brick:

Sorry, but that's just completely wrong. The regulations state otherwise and if it's not in the regulations, it's not an offence. See here (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roads/traffic-notes/traffic-note-37-rev1.pdf).

Local roading control authorities (Councils) can designate a variable speed school zone that meets the criteria but it must be marked with signage and limited in duration.

[Badjelly]

The right hand lane generally has right of way.

Says who?

In the situation shown in the following picture, I would suggest neither lane has priority over the other:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode/gfx/merge-like-zip.jpg

[varminter]

Although the sign, in fact, says Merge Like a Zip what it in fact means is "do not, on any account, let that fucker in, it's your road, you have huge testicles, do not give way it's a sign of weakness...at least thats what it seems to mean here:angry:

[Skyryder]

Says who?

In the situation shown in the following picture, I would suggest neither lane has priority over the other:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode/gfx/merge-like-zip.jpg

I would hold the view that traffic in the outside line have right of way and vehicles to the rear would be reqiured merge behind the vehicle in front.

The outside lane is a through lane in that there is no change of direction from two lanes into the single lane. Courtesy would suggest that both lanes indicate even though there may no be a legal obligation to do so. However the inside lane is merging into traffic so a greater emphasis would be placed for vehicles in that lane to indicate.

Skyryder

Skyryder

[Rhino]

Although the sign, in fact, says Merge Like a Zip what it in fact means is "do not, on any account, let that fucker in, it's your road, you have huge testicles, do not give way it's a sign of weakness...at least thats what it seems to mean here:angry:
Ditto for Auckland. The motorway onramps where two lanes become one are a classic. :argh:

[Patrick]

Dpeneds on which lane is the one changing direction to merge. If you are changing direction to merge, indicate. One lane is changing, even slightly, to make the merge happen. If it is you, indicate...)

As for contesting a 40kmph zone for doing 50... If it is permanently posted as a 40, and you're doing 50 at 11pm, still exceeding the limit by 25%.....

[Patrick]

Says who?

In the situation shown in the following picture, I would suggest neither lane has priority over the other:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode/gfx/merge-like-zip.jpg

As per this picture Badjelly posted up... the left lane is the one changing direction, slightly... so the lefties indicate, as Skyrider has correctly interpreted, except for the part of having right of way... The right lane does not have automatic right of way.

[Badjelly]

As per this picture Badjelly posted up... the left lane is the one changing direction, slightly... so the lefties indicate, as Skyrider has correctly interpreted.

OK, but the picture (from the Road Code) does not show the vehicles in either lane indicating (whereas later pictures in the same section, of motorway on ramps & such-like, do) nor does the accompanying text suggest that left-lane traffic should yield to right-lane traffic.

I don't normally indicate in this situation. Perhaps I should.

[Patrick]

OK, but the picture (from the Road Code) does not show the vehicles in either lane indicating (whereas later pictures in the same section, of motorway on ramps & such-like, do) nor does the accompanying text suggest that left-lane traffic should yield to right-lane traffic.

I don't normally indicate in this situation. Perhaps I should.

The road code is a guide. Thepicture is the ideal world. The real world is, if you "change direction without indication," and a crash occurs, insurance companies/small claims and attending traffic cop would find you as the cause.

Your bike/car has indicators. If in doubt, use them. Then everyone knows what you're doing anyway....

[Skyryder]

As for contesting a 40kmph zone for doing 50... If it is permanently posted as a 40, and you're doing 50 at 11pm, still exceeding the limit by 25%.....

The only school zone signs that I have seen with a posted speed limit is the ones that give the times in which the 40kph applies. This varies for reasons I can not fathom. Like my post says I travel past 5 different schools all have differing signs. One has SCHOOL ZONE and no sign for the ending of the zone.

I got nailed outside Cashmere high on a road that I travel frequently and it took me three passes to see the sighn so high and and hidden by a tree to boot.

I'm in touch with one of the local boffins on this and according his email he has stated that there are only two types of sighns. There is the staitic sighn which gives the hours in which the 40kph is in force and the other which is an electronic sighn. This guy gives no mention of the lime green sighns some of which state a school zone and some do not. Nowhere have I seen a 40kph unless it is a sighn with the hours or is is and eloctronic sighn.

Sometime next week I am going to try and make an appointment to see this guy and just find out what the hell is going on. Because as things stand the 40kph school zone is a mishmash of differing times and signage.

Skyryder

[sunhuntin]

i generally assume a school zone starts from where "school" is painted on the road. i consider the zone to end when i pass the word painted on the opposing lane. i dont know how correct that is, but it seems to be the safest option. i know there was something when the 40k thing came into effect a few years back that within xxx meters, 5k over the 40k limit is ticketable. i cant remember how many meters though.

[Patrick]

The only school zone signs that I have seen...

Haven't seen any in these parts. Of any kind. Just the usual yellow with the two kids running.

[Max Preload]

Haven't seen any in these parts. Of any kind. Just the usual yellow with the two kids running.

Not with scissors I hope. My mum tells me that's a No-no!

[FROSTY]

The schools around me have either a flashing 40km/h sighn that ONLY operates between 8.40 -9.05 and 2.45-3.20 pm other times normal road speed rule applies.
I would as a matter of course if I was the mergee indicate I want to go ----THERE.

[MarkH]

Im not sure if this is helpful, but i find school zones and merging lanes, prime location for wheelies.

I'm sure it is helpful, how could it not be?

[Clubbie]

I haven't seen anything about this up Palmy way... will have a look on the web. There have been increased numbers of Police cars etc around school zones thought. The only mention as school came back this year was that anyone caught doing more than 5 km/h over the limit would be ticketed.
I took this to mean 55 Km/h+ as did my friends.

[Clubbie]

Found this about the Christchurch trial...
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roads/traffic-notes/traffic-note-37-rev1.pdf