The median strips?

**dpex** · 25th April 2010, 17:25

Jesus but I give up trying to wade through the LTSA's site goup.

Dangerous! You're probably the man to answer this. 'What's the rule(s) regarding the use of the wide median strips (the painted versions)?

**Sentox** · 25th April 2010, 18:02

Well, I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in, but as I recall:

They can be used for turning right off a road, merging when turning right onto a road, and (I believe) going around a left turning car.

**no_8wire** · 25th April 2010, 20:18

You may not pass on a median strip, may only to be used to execute a turning maneuver.

**BrianZ** · 25th April 2010, 20:23

The "new and improved" NZTA website leaves a lot to be desired - finding anything useful is now a mission!!

Have a look here http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/ro...rdindex.html#p, scroll down to "flush medians" and all will be revealed :-)

**Sentox** · 25th April 2010, 20:43

Originally Posted by no_8wire

You may not pass on a median strip, may only to be used to execute a turning maneuver.

So I guess using a median to go round a left turning car is technically illegal. Makes sense, I guess, if there's somewhere cars can enter the median from the right, but still... chalk up another thing an awful lot of drivers are doing wrong.

**Berries** · 25th April 2010, 23:39

Originally Posted by BrianZ

The "new and improved" NZTA website leaves a lot to be desired - finding anything useful is now a mission!!

Tell me about it. I have to use LTNZ and Transit websites every day at work, since they merged it has become a right pain in the arse.

Flush medians. Actual wording is from Section 2.7 of the Road User Rule -

2.7 Passing on right
A driver must not pass or attempt to pass on the right of another vehicle moving in the same direction when—
(b) approaching or passing a flush median, unless the driver—
(i) intends to turn right from the road marked with the flush median into another road or vehicle entrance; or
(ii) has turned right onto the road marked with the flush median; or
(iii) can make the entire movement without encroaching on the flush median.

The problem is they are a relatively new thing in NZ, so the only people who know how to use them are those who have learnt to drive since they were introduced or those who take an interest in the road rules.