unfortuntaely it can't take 'some' getting used to - there are multiple events here in recent memory where tourists used to riding/driving on the RH side have been killed/have killed unsuspecting riders/motorists as they forgot what side they had to be on.Originally Posted by Serafina
please don't be the next ones (although if you're not here til January you won't be)
L-Plate Rider
Good point, though I really just meant "getting used to" as in it'll feel really weird for a while first. I'll definitely be thinking about it constantly, as well as all the other traffic rules that will be flipped from what I'm used to. I have to watch for people turning right in front of me at an intersection, for example.
And filtering/lanesplitting is really only going to be relevant in rush hour Auckland (and maybe Wellington) traffic. NZ land mass = 167000km2 & 4 million people, California = 260000km2 & 37 million.....more people live in LA than all of NZ.
i've driven heaps in US and Europe - the LH and RH intersection turns are probably the hardest to get used to - I always remember it in the US/Europe - turn left-turn long, turn right-turn tight. It's the opposite here!
is currently sulking in the Sin Bin
Allow equal time for both islands. While I'd be happy to tell you the South Island is the better place to be, you really need to see both to be able to judge for yourselves. If you'd like some sensible tips on what to see and where just drop me a PM. We'd also be able to meet up with you and show you around our locality in the top of the South Island, depending on your travel dates. I'd advise you to run over our local Road Code and always be prepared for rain. Enjoy.
Hardcore Biker
"Ooh, good to know. What does a "free turn" marking look like? Or is it obvious?"[/QUOTE]
A "Free left" turn is usually given its own lane and marked with a "give way" sign. Turning traffic gives way to pedestrians crossing the road you are turning on to.
Last edited by Wannabiker; 21st May 2010 at 07:03. Reason: Didnt quote properly
and you CAN'T use a red light as a give way (so that would be a kerb-crawling left turn - like a kerb crawl RH turn in Cali.) Red light is stop.
Resident Redneck
I am still of the belief that the roads over there are terrible....Great tarmac but boring as hell....well I guess thats the midwest....I never got to drive up the Pacific coast...thats next trip...
Anyways have a great time over here when ya get here
Forum whore
Yup - come to Kapiti and you will get treated nice... Stay at Brens but we do a mean BBQ and Raumati South is the place to hang out foe cafe's and artiste's... (if you are a hopeless romantic, rudderless hippie, retired circus freak, goat botherer or Llama breeder)
Hell, if the weathers nice we will send you out in the kayaks for a fish... (you catch it you clean it rules apply)
Fully qualified Sifter.
I'm at Wellington Motorcycles. www.motorcycle.co.nz pmcdonald@wmcc.co.nz
Pete
Watchful Old Bird
What he said, can't beat the coast
The instructions are simple...
Usually, they are marked as 'Free Turn' or 'Give Way' and are seperated from the straight through lane/s by use of what we call traffic islands (curbed, raised areas).
People here have just as much trouble understanding the splitting laws. This practice is covered by the rules governing overtaking. Which say you may pass the vehicle in front of you if...
You are allowed to cross the lane marking into the oncoming lane (not allowed when a yellow line is used for the lane marking)
There is a clear lane on the right (on a multi-lane road)
There is sufficient room on the right between the vehicle you are passing and the lane marking (known as lane-sharing)
There is at least 100m clear road in front throughout the manoeuvre
What goes 'wrong' here is that some riders pass on the left side of the lane, or at too great a speed differential or when the traffic is moving at more than 60kph (I think - there will be a tolerance by the cops on an acceptable speed).
Probably much the same situation as you have in CA?
I too extend a welcome to stay at ours if needed. We are on the east coast of the North Island.
Last edited by MSTRS; 21st May 2010 at 09:33.
Do you realise how many holes there could be if people would just take the time to take the dirt out of them?
<<----- My dream bike.
Yeah, it's just written as a give way. Pretty straight-forward. You will know when you are at one. If it does'nt say you can then it's not a free turn. They are pretty far and few between, because drivers here struggle enough without adding in such a sensible idea!
Edit. What MSTRS said is probably clearer.
Cats land on their feet. Toast lands jamside down.
A cat glued to some jam toast will hover in quantum indecision
Curiosity was framed; ignorance killed the cat
Fix a computer and it'll break tomorrow.
Teach its owner to fix it and it'll break in some way you've never seen before.
They call me Mr Fahrenheit
Driving from Monument Valley down through Az to Phoenix was an awesome trip. Yes roads were hella straight for the most part, but def not boring.
Keep on chooglin'
Forum whore
Comparing Mid west/desert area roads with the West Coast and Appalachians, is like comparing the Canterbury plains with the Coro loop......
“- He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.”
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