RIP last of the intelligent give-way rules

**Urano** · 1st September 2011, 21:40

Originally Posted by davebullet

We're fucked. I'd wager the countries that have this have dual lanes so won't have the traffic backup we'll get.

no they don't.

**James Deuce** · 1st September 2011, 21:45

Originally Posted by davebullet

We're fucked. I'd wager the countries that have this have dual lanes so won't have the traffic backup we'll get. .

Nah, you know what they have instead? Trained drivers with basic courtesy drummed in. Ive been let across three lanes of the North Circular in peak hour traffic to get into a side road by three lanes of traffic stopping to let me across. I'd never seen anything like it and hesitated and got a friendly, FRIENDLY mind you, wave out a window and a smile to get moving. It happened regularly.

**Hitcher** · 1st September 2011, 22:04

Could somebody please tell me how many "foreigners" are killed or maimed driving in New Zealand as a consequence of this current rule? Hitcher's prediction: bugger all.

Could somebody then please tell me how many New Zealanders are killed or maimed driving in other left-hand-side driving countries due to them not understanding the rules that apply in those countries? Hitcher's prediction: fewer than bugger all.

Could somebody please tell me how many New Zealanders will be killed or maimed as a result of changing this right turn rule? Hitcher's prediction: too many.

**steve_t** · 1st September 2011, 22:23

Does anyone remember what it was like when they changed it to the current rule in 1977? Was it mayhem on the road? Obviously, it's going to be much worse now due to increased traffic. Just thought I'd see if anyone remembered the last change

**Ocean1** · 1st September 2011, 22:34

Originally Posted by steve_t

Does anyone remember what it was like when they changed it to the current rule in 1977? Was it mayhem on the road? Obviously, it's going to be much worse now due to increased traffic. Just thought I'd see if anyone remembered the last change

There was a lot of bitching and prophecies of carnage.

The change produced a few months of confusion, but it wasn't noticed amongst the background confusion caused by the fact that nobody knew the right hand rule OR the left hand law.

FWIW, I prefer the old old, (and new) version.

**Clockwork** · 2nd September 2011, 08:46

My concern is that in many cases roads are marked up in accordance with the existing rule.

For instance, where opposing flows are both turning into the same road, the left turning traffic (in a left turning lane) has a Give Way line marked across the intersection giving the right turning traffic right of way. Presumably these road markings will continue to hold priority over the new rules and left turning traffic will still be required to give way.

I just hope that this is made real clear either way.

**James Deuce** · 2nd September 2011, 08:53

Originally Posted by Clockwork

My concern is that in many cases roads are marked up in accordance with the existing rule.

For instance, where opposing flows are both turning into the same road, the left turning traffic (in a left turning lane) has a Give Way line marked across the intersection giving the right turning traffic right of way. Presumably these road markings will continue to hold priority over the new rules and left turning traffic will still be required to give way.

I just hope that this is made real clear either way.

Nah. Right turning traffic in that situation is dependant on traffic volume or the courtesy of other road users. Fucked in other words. The left turning person just turns left without a worry.

**nodrog:Me** · 2nd September 2011, 09:07

They are changing from driving on the lefthand side, to the righthand side of the road for the world cup. This change has come about because a couple of tourists were traumatised as to why the steering wheel in their camper was on the wrong side.

**Ronin** · 2nd September 2011, 09:22

I for one never assume that because I have right of way I will be given the chance to use it safely.

If in a line of traffic inching towards an intersection, I will open a gap to let people in or through.

**Ronin** · 2nd September 2011, 09:23

Originally Posted by nodrog

They are changing from driving on the lefthand side, to the righthand side of the road for the world cup. This change has come about because a couple of tourists were traumatised as to why the steering wheel in their camper was on the wrong side.

Breaking news!!!

New Zealand is now being moved to the northen hemisphere due to tourists being traumatised as their poos rotates the wrong way in the toilet bowl...

**nodrog:Me** · 2nd September 2011, 09:41

Originally Posted by Ronin

Breaking news!!!

New Zealand is now being moved to the northen hemisphere due to tourists being traumatised as their poos rotates the wrong way in the toilet bowl...

God you talk shit.

**slowpoke** · 2nd September 2011, 09:57

Originally Posted by Jantar

At last we go back to the more sensible give way rule. No longer do we have to give way to a vehicle that is giving way to a vehicle behind us. At last the vehicle that will take the shorter length of time to complete a manouver will have the right of way. Yay......

Yup, old rule was a crock since day one. Driving in Oz only confirmed it for me.

**MikeL** · 2nd September 2011, 09:57

Originally Posted by steve_t

Does anyone remember what it was like when they changed it to the current rule in 1977? Was it mayhem on the road? Obviously, it's going to be much worse now due to increased traffic. Just thought I'd see if anyone remembered the last change

There was no mayhem that I recall. Back in 1977 standards of driving and general common sense were a lot higher; impatience, road-rage and general selfishness were less common.

What there was back in 1977 was a lot of incredulity that the law was changed. I thought it stupid, and still do. I suspect that the inconsistency, and the fact that we were out of sync with the rest of the world, became evident fairly quickly, but reverting to the old rule was impossible because (a) the people who had brought it in would lose face, and (b) changing the law so soon would cause even more confusion. So (not for the first time) a bad law persisted.

I think the two things that now make reverting to the previous law possible are firstly that those responsible for the change in 1977 are either retired or dead, and secondly that the motoring public has become so inured to seemingly arbitrary rule changes and consequent repressive enforcement, and being treated like idiots incapable of using their common sense (a vicious circle if ever there was one) that the police cynically assume that most of us will simply fall into line regardless of any logic involved in the change. And those who don't will be treated in the usual way.

**Scuba_Steve** · 2nd September 2011, 10:19

I have hear a rumour that maybee someone can confirm or deny???

The rumour is that we will keep the logical current law on "main" roads, to keep the traffic flow, while all others will revert to this unintelligent rule of old???.