What is the purpose of the painted lines down the centre of Tamaki Drive and Ponsonby Rd? Some drivers seem to regard these lines as marking their own personal passing lane, and some pedestrians seem to regard them as a place to stand in the middle of the road. Clarification of the legal status of these markings would be appreciated as I'm unable to find any reference to them on the Land Transport NZ website or in the online Road Code.
The white parallel lines with diagonal lines inside them is referred to as a "flush median". This name reflects the fact that the device is an island shape, like a regular (raised) traffic median island, but is flat (flush) on the road surface. The purpose of a flush median is to provide a safe place for vehicles turning into or out of side roads or a safe place to wait when turning right from a side road to merge with traffic. You can only drive on to the flush median to wait to move into a gap in the traffic flow or to slow down before turning right, and it should not be used as a traffic lane to travel on. Pedestrians may also wait on the flush median when crossing the road in busy areas, so motorists and pedestrians must take care when using medians, as they are shared spaces.
Are cyclists required to use cycle lanes where they are provided? Tamaki Drive is a prime example of a road where such lanes are available yet cyclists frequently use the road. Jon Eriksen, Orakei.
Cyclists can use general traffic lanes unless expressly forbidden, such as on motorways, or they can use cycle lanes where they exist.
Are buses required to use bus lanes where they are provided? Quite often buses travel in a number of lanes in Fanshawe St, and not just when they are trying to turn right. Jon Eriksen.
Same deal. Buses do not have to use bus lanes, but they would be well advised to where they can. They are faster and more efficient, and travel times are reduced, all of which encourages more people to use public transport, thus reducing traffic volumes. The Auckland City Council is aware of the buses using general lanes in Fanshawe St, particularly during the current epidemic of road works there, and it plans to ask the Bus and Coach Association to encourage its members to use the bus lanes.
<EM>Get moving:</EM> Median strip not an extra traffic lane
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