AA trying to change the give-way law (again).

**James Deuce** · 24th July 2006, 22:23

Originally Posted by Pathos

New Zealand roads are designed for the give way rule the AA is challenging. If we changed it all the intersections would stop working properly. I have to say everyone I've seen has obeyed this rule. What a pack of busybodied idiots...

Err, no they're not. They're "designed" for the rule the AA want to reinstate.

**McJim** · 24th July 2006, 22:35

Originally Posted by Jim2

Err, no they're not. They're "designed" for the rule the AA want to reinstate.

Regardless of what they were designed for (and I'm not disagreeing with either of you) they don't actually function - I used to commute twice the distance in half the time in London as I do here in Auckland and London is a wee bit busier that Auckland. It doesn't work why not just admit it?

**Ixion** · 24th July 2006, 22:43

Originally Posted by Jim2

The "solution" is quite simple. People need motivation to accept change.

If you don't:

A. Buy a new road code with the new legislation detailed in it, and
B. Provide proof of purchase of the new Road code to an examining agency and then complete a scratchy exam within three months of a law change to a sufficeint level to indicate you understand the new law(s), you lose your license. And have to start from the beginning, irrespective of age.

It's a privilege to drive/ride, not a right.

That still won't work. People now sitting licences pass the scratchy test, and promptly go out on the roads and stuff it up. They just learn the pictures by heart and that the "answer to this picture is 'B', that one is 'C'". But are not capable of applying the actual rule in real life.Cos they are stupid. Just accept that whatever rule you have, most people won't understand it, and will stuff it up.

**James Deuce** · 25th July 2006, 08:09

Of course it won't work. I just want to see some aggro people in the news. Wearing dungarees and sharing their one big tooth around so they can done say words proper.

**Lou Girardin** · 25th July 2006, 08:13

Originally Posted by Pathos

New Zealand roads are designed for the give way rule the AA is challenging. If we changed it all the intersections would stop working properly. I have to say everyone I've seen has obeyed this rule. What a pack of busybodied idiots...

New Zealand roads are only 30 years old?

**Ixion** · 25th July 2006, 08:19

No, but perhaps there could be problems because the location of give way signs, road markings, traffic light phases etc may have been designed around the existing give way rules ?

**James Deuce** · 25th July 2006, 08:20

Originally Posted by Big McJim

Regardless of what they were designed for (and I'm not disagreeing with either of you) they don't actually function - I used to commute twice the distance in half the time in London as I do here in Auckland and London is a wee bit busier that Auckland. It doesn't work why not just admit it?

I had the opposite experience commuting from Southampton to Ashtead, though Southampton to Manchester was quicker than it had any right to be, in traffic that dense. Auckland is starting to get to M4 levels, but I haven't seen M25 carpark levels yet. Driving in London? Why? the congestion charge is now 10 quid for cars. Cheaper to get a taxi, let alone the tube or a bus.

The main issue is that people in the UK are just much more polite than Kiwis, followed closely by having a much better idea of road rules. Putting your indicator on on the motorway in NZ is an invite for the people in the lane you want to move into to have a nose to tail to keep you out. A big chunk of NZ's "congestion" is caused by people not understanding that they are responsible for how traffic flows.

**Skyryder** · 25th July 2006, 15:55

Originally Posted by Big McJim

Regardless of what they were designed for (and I'm not disagreeing with either of you) they don't actually function - I used to commute twice the distance in half the time in London as I do here in Auckland and London is a wee bit busier that Auckland. It doesn't work why not just admit it?

That's the way I see it too. The old system where the left tuning vehicle had the right of way did not hold up traffic to vehicles turning right from the opposite direction.

Skyryder

**dnos** · 25th July 2006, 17:07

wat does it matter - people still wont give a shit about the rules and do whateva they want as they do currently. AND yes, there are all the stupid ones out there who have no idea anyway.
i can see the arguments both ways - to be honest i think i could adapt to it easily but i don't see much hope for some of the people on our roads.

**brit-bloke** · 25th July 2006, 17:36

I come from the uk and it took me a while to get used to the give way rule when turning left a change for the better I'd say...

**classic zed** · 27th July 2006, 12:55

dont indicate left, just turn

that way the buggers turning right give way to you

seriously though, I still cant see why the law was changed here, the current system seems totally illogical. For instance if you want to turn onto a petrol forecourt or driveway just past a junction, you have to indicate after the junction, possibly giving the person following you very little chance to avoid you, if you indicate before the junction giving following vehicles the mandatory 3 second warning, you are likely to end up with the car turning right in front of you suddenly going for it thinking you are turning into the junction and knowing they have the right of way.

**idb** · 27th July 2006, 13:08

Originally Posted by Ixion

No, we didn't cope the first time round. Well, I did, and I'm sure you did. But I knew lots of older people who never got to grips with the "new" rule. It only seems that we coped because the ones who didn't have by now all died off.

Now the majority of motorists, even older ones, have only ever been taught the present rule.

If they change it, I will cope, OK, you will cope fine, but thousands won't. Chaos.

The best way is to have a 12 month phase-in period where either rule can be used.