Get moving: Reason for white lines clarified

Q: When it comes to road markings, what is the difference between a solid white line and a broken white line? I ask because I was nearly wiped out recently by a car that came at me across a solid white line and into my lane. I thought that was illegal. Roy Dickson, Forrest Hill.

A: Andy Knackstedt, of Land Transport New Zealand, says that a lane is defined as "a longitudinal strip of roadway ... separated from other parts of the roadway by a longitudinal line or lines or paint or raised studs ... " So solid or broken white lines define lanes, and in law there is no difference. The police agree. In practice, a solid white line is used to give warning of pedestrian crossings, intersections, on curves, at the edge of a road, or wherever emphasis is needed to remind you to stay in your lane. Your aggressor was a bad and dangerous driver, and should have stayed in his or her own lane.

Q: Major changes have been made to the layout of Wellesley St, but it appears that pedestrians have not been accommodated. There are no kerb extensions or refuge islands to make crossing safer there, and it seems unreasonable to expect people to go to either the Queen St or Kitchener St lights. Are there any plans to improve this intersection? Alex Wales, Auckland.

A: Auckland City Council acknowledges the large number of pedestrians crossing Wellesley St to get to the library and art gallery, and it is looking at where and how to make a safe crossing point, without compromising the two adjacent intersections. As soon as it has worked out what to do, it will do it.

Q: The phasing of the traffic lights at the corner of Mt Eden and Mt Albert Rds seems to change every two or three months. Currently the green arrow for westbound traffic on Mt Albert turning right into Mt Eden only allows about three or four vehicles through before the red arrow comes on, even though eastbound traffic clears quite quickly. Can this be fixed? Paul Brown, Auckland.

A: Paul, you are not alone in being frustrated at this intersection. The council has had a number of inquiries, but say these lights adjust automatically depending on demand, and appear to be erratic because of the variation in the volumes of right-turning traffic. I don't find that answer particularly helpful, and think your suggestion of the arrow disappearing after a time so that you can turn right when the through traffic has cleared has merit. This system works well on the corner of Ponsonby and Franklin Rds, so it can be done.