Give way rule to change

[Dim]

Half the giveway rules aren't even followed at the mo' so they're obviously confusing a few people.

I must admit there's a certain elegance in having a system so confusing and counter intuitive that people just stop at an intersection instead of having traffic flow in a safe(r) manner. Especially seeing as there car turning right has to stop in the middle of the road half the time anyway (i've never had a porblem with just going around the left).

[McJim]

Typical. Now that I decide to sell the bike they're finally gonna make the roads safer. Timing or what?

[pzkpfw]

I like it the way it is. That some people don't understand it just means the training and enforcement is missing the mark.


One thing I wonder, is what "jingle" they'll teach the numpties. The "(pretty much always) give way to the right" or "if your drivers' door would be hit, you're in the wrong" messages are quite simple.

What's the simple way to describe the "new" (same as it was before 1977) way?

[Motu]

I'm one of the old farts who has never learned the ''new'' system,even though I've been using it far longer than the old way.I'd be really happy to go back to what makes sense....but I'm sure I'll never adapt,and keep going back to the system I never figured out....

[kwaka_crasher]

Now, call me stupid but...

on 3NEWS tonight, Jane Luscombe said the proposed change will cost around $2M on an education campaign and "a further $1M to change signs and road markings.".

Huh? The GIVE WAY RULE is for uncontrolled intersections! There are no road signs and markings that need changing. That's the whole fucking point of it!

I despair at the outright stupidity that masquerades as journalism in this country. I really do.

[Laxi]

here here i just turn the corner when on the bike,if they dont like it im gone anyway

yep! 1 way or another

[scumdog]

The advantage of the present rule is that if there is a queue built up of left truning cars giving way, it is easy to slip up the inside. And a bike giving way at a left hand turn is in a safe position to the left of the road, can wait safely there as long as necessary

Changed, it will be like the old days- stuck on the centre line, with traffic rocketing by on either side a couple of inches from your elbows, waiting for a gap in the left turning traffic. Not a nice place to be.

It must be an age thing that means you and I at least can see the advantage of the present system.

All those that think it is NOT good have probably not thought of the advantages of it.

Think of it - now the right turning guy can make his turn with a minimum of delay - while the guy wanting to turn left can pull over out of the was near the kerb.

If they change it???hmm, lotsa probs.

Of course not living in a city means I could be blowing hot air outa my ass....

[kwaka_crasher]

It must be an age thing that means you and I at least can see the advantage of the present system.

All those that think it is NOT good have probably not thought of the advantages of it.

Are you calling me old? Them's fighting words!

I completely agree. It's about the person with only one lane to cross giving way, and in most cases on narrow roads also shelter and opportunity, to the person who has to cross two lanes!

[BMWST?]

The advantage of the present rule is that if there is a queue built up of left truning cars giving way, it is easy to slip up the inside. And a bike giving way at a left hand turn is in a safe position to the left of the road, can wait safely there as long as necessary

Changed, it will be like the old days- stuck on the centre line, with traffic rocketing by on either side a couple of inches from your elbows, waiting for a gap in the left turning traffic. Not a nice place to be.

go up the INSidE? of cars about to turn left....?You wouldnt have room in welly!

[Jantar]

About time you guys changed to the proper way of doing things (disclaimer: I'm from Aus )......

It is simply going back to the way it used to be. So simple to remember: If you're turning right give way to everyone. Give way to anyone approaching from your right. Otherwise you have the right of way.

[Cynic]

Personally I think the change is over due. The number of 50/50 calls on the present system is a worry. With people diving out from behind a left turning car it can leave you in a rather vulnerable spot, unbalanced and turning across a lane infront of a clearly un-observant driver (or they wouldn't be doing a late dive and their intentions would have been clear). The present system can turn a fogotten indicator into a killer. Left indicator, crap road position and no intention to turn can leave you making a bad call. Admittedly, this seems more prevalent in Chch than other cities in NZ I have lived. Due to the number of intersections here I guess, we have millions it would seem. Worst one for me is Wigram vs Awatea, I imagine those in Chch that use it would know what I mean. I do the right turn into Awatea from Wigram and it is an arse.....

[Berries]

Of course not living in a city means I could be blowing hot air outa my ass....

Dunedin is a good one. You want to turn left at signals. The lights go green, you have to wait for all the pedestrians (that's even more stupid and unsafe but off topic), and while you wait all the straight through traffic behind you goes through. So the peds clear, then you have to give way to all the opposing right turners. The lights go red and the right turners keep going leaving one left turning vehicle to get through per cycle. A bollocks rule if you ask me. There is too much indecision to be able to assume you know what the other person is thinking so in the end we are all worse off.

[pzkpfw]

The lights go red and the right turners keep going leaving one left turning vehicle to get through per cycle.

So it would be better if all the left turners go through letting one right turner go through per cycle?

[kwaka_crasher]

A decent amendment would be to allow vehicles to turn left on a red light if it's safe. We used to have free turns but they disappeared. I guess people got more stupid though so perhaps they can't be trusted now.

[Dim]

So it would be better if all the left turners go through letting one right turner go through per cycle?

Having come from the *proper* system the timing of traffic lights fixes this problem. Or if its really an issue the hook turn (as is used in Victoria/Melbourne after the rules were changed) could be introduced, then again best not to confuse you guys too much :P http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/...orTourists.htm