Ask Phoebe: Apply basic rules of driving to give way issues

If a vehicle is turning, it must give way to all vehicles not turning and it applies where both vehicles are facing the same control, such as stop signs, give way signs and green traffic signals. Photo / APN

Vehicles not turning have priority at junctions.

I'd like to get some clarification on the road rules at the intersection of School Rd and Vodanovich Rd in Te Atatu South, and who exactly has the right of way.
Travelling along Vodanovich with Central Park Drive running along your left, you come to a stop sign at School Rd (at which the majority of traffic goes straight through to the other side, carrying along Vodanovich up the hill). The people coming out of Vodanovich from the opposite side also reach a stop sign at School Rd. The majority of these people are turning right on to School Rd to travel along Central Park Drive.
My understanding of the road rules is that as we are both on a stop sign, those turning across the traffic going straight ahead must give way. Is this correct? If so, in intersections like this where there's an accident just waiting to happen is it possible to get signage installed that clarifies who has the right of way? Sarah Marr, Henderson.

You are correct. The give way rule states that if a vehicle is turning, it must give way to all vehicles not turning.

This applies where both vehicles are facing the same control, such as stop signs, give way signs and green traffic signals. It also applies to cyclists using cycle and bus lanes, and vehicles using bus lanes.

I don't see a need to install signage to indicate what is a basic rule of driving, and one which everyone should know if they hold a licence.

The junction of Calliope Rd with Victoria Rd, in Devonport, retains its old road markings, and following them means that northbound traffic on Victoria Rd wishing to turn left into Calliope has to give way to southbound traffic turning right into Calliope. What is the score? Are the road markings obsolete and redundant? If so, they should be removed. It currently retains the same priorities as the now defunct rule - clearly a potential source of confusion, being in conflict with the new road rule. Could you clarify who is responsible for this bit of roadway and whether the traffic priorities correspond to the road rules or are anomalous (and why)? Mario McMillan, Devonport.

When the give way rule changed in March 2012, that right-turning traffic must give way to left-turning traffic (in essence) they applied only to intersections where both vehicles are facing no signs or signals or the same signs or signals. The rule changes did not alter the give way requirements where one vehicle faces a stop sign or a give way sign, and another vehicle does not. The traffic priorities do still correspond to current road rules at this intersection.

The give way sign on Victoria Rd for traffic wanting to turn left into Calliope indicates that motorists wanting to make this manoeuvre must wait until right-turning traffic from Victoria into Calliope has cleared. Motorists turning right from Calliope into Victoria face a stop sign and must thus give way to all other traffic, and proceed only when the way is clear.

Auckland Transport is responsible for this section of roadway.

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