School zones and merging traffic?

**Max Preload** · 20th February 2009, 17:39

Originally Posted by Trumpess

Only my 2 cents worth.

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...

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.

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** · 20th February 2009, 17:47

Originally Posted by Trumpess

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/roa...e-like-zip.jpg

**varminter** · 20th February 2009, 17:49

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

**Skyryder** · 20th February 2009, 20:03

Originally Posted by Badjelly

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/roa...e-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** · 21st February 2009, 15:40

Originally Posted by 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

Ditto for Auckland. The motorway onramps where two lanes become one are a classic.

**Patrick** · 21st February 2009, 16:25

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** · 21st February 2009, 16:28

Originally Posted by Badjelly

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/roa...e-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** · 21st February 2009, 16:32

Originally Posted by Patrick

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** · 21st February 2009, 16:42

Originally Posted by Badjelly

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** · 21st February 2009, 19:14

Originally Posted by Patrick

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** · 23rd February 2009, 08:33

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** · 23rd February 2009, 10:09

Originally Posted by Skyryder

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** · 23rd February 2009, 10:16

Originally Posted by Patrick

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:Me** · 23rd February 2009, 10:33

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.