Get moving: Pedestrians have right to get across safely, even 'runners'

Q: Is it correct that, except where there is a mid-road safe haven, turning traffic at a light-controlled intersection is required to wait until all pedestrians have reached the opposite pavement before completing their turn? Is this the case even where there is no chance of the pedestrian coming to harm, for example where the road is wide or there is waiting traffic in the road into which the traffic is turning, thus providing shelter for the pedestrians? Clem Collard, Auckland.

A: Land Transport New Zealand says the rules relating to pedestrians at traffic signals differ from those at ordinary pedestrian crossings. At the lights, drivers are obliged to wait for pedestrians who are crossing lawfully, ie, they entered the crossing when the little green man was displayed and continue to cross when the little red man flashes.

Once any pedestrians are safely clear of the lane you are turning into, you may go.

The timing of the crossing period varies according to the width of the road and the traffic demand. For example, a wide road gets a longer period for pedestrians, and also crossings where there are likely to be numbers of disabled or elderly people.

But as we all know, there will always be "runners" who take off across the road when the red man is flashing or even when there is no crossing signal at all.

Every road user has a general duty of care, and drivers do not have the right to mow these people down, even though they shouldn't be there.

Q: Over the last year, there has been a huge increase in the number of heavy trucks using Pah Rd as a route from the city to South Auckland via the Southwestern Motorway. Are there any plans to divert this heavy traffic from what is, after all, a residential street? Gray Paterson, Epsom.

A: Pah Rd is residential, but it's also a regional arterial road and a key route south to the airport and Manukau.

However, when State Highway 20 is extended through Mt Roskill - and the contract has recently been signed - traffic should use this route and hopefully leave Pah Rd to its residents.

Q: There are two lanes down Newton Rd until just before Fleet St, where five parking spaces force the traffic into one lane. The inside lane provides access to Ian McKinnon Drive and the Northwestern Motorway. Could the traffic flow be given precedence, especially at peak hours? Tony Goodwin, Avondale.

A: Absolutely. There is a clearway there from 4pm to 6pm, and this will now be more strictly monitored to give the traffic a fair go. But because parking is at such a premium in this area, cars will be allowed to park there at off-peak times.