Ask Phoebe: On public holidays Grafton Bridge opens to all traffic, not just buses

Grafton Bridge. Photo / Greg Bowker

The bus lane on Grafton Bridge is 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday. But on public holidays, with buses running to Sunday timetables, is the Grafton Bridge bus lane still enforced? Mike Batten, Auckland.

According to the Auckland Transport website, the bus priority measures apply as you state, as well as allowing for emergency vehicles. At all other times, including public holidays, the bridge is open to all traffic.

With the introduction of the new give-way road rules, could you please clarify what the rule is with regard to roundabouts? Dennise Cook, Torbay, and Gwen Smith, Auckland.

The road rules have not changed at roundabouts. You must give way to all vehicles that will cross your path from your right as you enter the roundabout.

What is the law, protocol or ethical approach to a T2 lane (Tamaki Drive) after the expiry time of 9am? After this time there is still a back-up along Tamaki Drive approaching Ngapipi Rd and several selfish drivers (with only the driver in the car) overtake (in the T2 lane) the queue of patiently waiting drivers. Somehow this seems all wrong. John Burrows, Auckland.

Vehicles with only one occupant are quite within their rights to use the T2 lane outside of the hours specified for its use as a transit lane. I'm bound to say, though, that overtaking vehicles from an inside lane comes with its own risks, and should be done with caution, especially near intersections.

We have a situation in Remuera where Omahu and Dromorne Rds cross each other. Omahu is the major road and there are stop signs on each corner of Dromorne Rd. There are two cars facing each other at each stop sign both wishing to turn right. At school time this can be a dangerous corner with busy parents and parked cars waiting to pick up children. In this case, who goes first? James Hines, Remuera.

If both cars are facing each other on Dromorne Rd and the way is clear on Omahu Rd, both cars should be able to turn right at the same time, as neither vehicle will cross the other's path.

A similar and comparable situation arises when two vehicles are facing each other at traffic lights. When the green right-turning arrow comes on, both cars can turn at the same time, as they do not cross paths.

Coming up to the top of Tiverton Rd in New Windsor and turning left into New Windsor Rd, do I have right of way over traffic coming from my right that is sort of going straight ahead but veering slightly on New Windsor Rd? Marion Miller, New Windsor.

This is yet another of the apparent anomalies that litter our city. I know the intersection you mean, and at first glance it would appear that traffic from Tiverton has all the rights. However, this is a T-intersection, and as Tiverton is the terminating road, traffic on New Windsor Rd has right of way. Traffic on New Windsor is not turning, and thus takes priority over any vehicle that is.