Ask Phoebe: Cars in stop boxes irk cyclist but it's a matter of courtesy

Keeping the stop box clear is a matter of courtesy, often lacking on our roads. Photo / Sarah Ivey

As a cyclist, I am frustrated by the number of drivers who stop in the green advance stop boxes at traffic lights. Is there any chance you could educate your readers on the rules about keeping these clear for cyclists? Matt Hancock, Auckland.

The official description of an advanced stop box is an area in front of a general traffic lane on an approach to a signalled intersection to raise awareness of cyclists by motorists and to give priority to cyclists over other traffic for a particular move.

I can find no regulations stipulating that waiting motorists must keep clear of advanced stop boxes, although I am happy to take advice on this. The inference is that keeping clear is a matter of courtesy, often lacking on our roads.

The stop boxes do mean drivers must stop a little further back in the lane, and be aware that cyclists may come through the traffic to reach the lane, and then be first off the mark when the lights change.

With the new intersection rule is the following allowed? In this scenario a T intersection is full with cars at all points. The car coming off the main road turning left has the right of way, while the car turning right off the main road has to give way. If there is a series of cars turning left off the main road, which means the car turning right has to wait, does that mean the car waiting to turn right out of the side street can proceed on to the main road assuming there is no traffic coming from the left or right? Simon Watson, Auckland.

This is a tricky one. The road code says if you are turning right out of a side street (or terminating road) you must give way to traffic turning right into the side street from a continuing road (the top of the T goes before me).

Although I can find no rule that expressly forbids the manoeuvre you suggest, you do put yourself in danger and imperil other drivers.

Motorists proceeding straight along the continuing road may be blocked from your view by the turning vehicles, and they take priority over any turning traffic.

The cautious driver would wait for both left- and right-turning vehicles before turning right on to the main road.

There is a damaged blue VW Polo car parked on Remuera Rd for what seems like months. We have reported it to the police but they say it has not been reported stolen so they cannot do anything. The angle of the damaged wheel on the right-hand side of the car is, I feel, dangerous for cyclists - is it possible to have the car moved? Jean Hooper, Remuera.

If, as it appears, the car has been abandoned, Auckland Transport is responsible for its removal. However, the process to legally declare a vehicle as abandoned can take several weeks and under the law it cannot be removed until that process is complete, unless there is an immediate safety concern.

If anyone expresses interest in the vehicle at any time during this process, the vehicle cannot be declared abandoned. (Source: North Shore Times)