Do you live in Auckland? Do you have a question or a problem you want solved? Phoebe Falconer answers your queries every Thursday. Email 'Ask Phoebe' at newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz
KEY POINTS:
Now that Transit NZ has spent our money installing ramp signals at various motorway onramps on the Southern Motorway, is it too much to ask for them to be switched on, or at least switch on the CCTV cameras which will capture the number plates of those who run the ramp signals or misuse priority bypass lanes? During the five minutes I spent recently on the Grafton Gully onramp, I counted no fewer than eight cars, which were clearly not trucks, which blithely decided to skip the patiently-waiting queue by using the bypass lane. My only hope is that Transit cameras have captured the number plates of such offenders and that they will be heavily fined. Perhaps if Transit does not intend to activate their ramp signals system, they should close off the bypass lanes with orange cones so that such drivers cannot put themselves above the road regulations as they clearly seem to think they are entitled to do.
Michael Hoare, Highland Park
Whew! I'm glad you got that off your chest. And yes, Transit is aware that motorists have been using the truck priority lane here to bypass the ramp signals. An additional CCTV camera has been ordered and will be installed to specifically monitor this. As well, Transit has raised the matter with the police, who monitor motorists using the ramp signals as part of their regular motorway patrols. So, you have been warned, all you transgressors.
Can you please clarify the give-way rules for a tricky corner in the CBD? When turning from Shortland St, coming from Princes St, into Emily Place, you are sitting on the right of cars turning from Emily Place into Shortland St. Who gives way to who?
Tracey Smith, Auckland
Maybe I have misunderstood, but when I went for a look, I was sitting to the left of cars turning from Emily into Shortland.
This is an uncontrolled intersection, which means no lights or stop or give-way signs. The Road Code says that in the situation where you are turning right at an intersection, give way to vehicles on your right that are turning right. So, the car in Shortland St must give way to the car turning right from Emily Place into Shortland St.
Will motorcycles be allowed to use the Northern Busway, and if not, why not? A modern motorcycle meets Euro III emissions standards and uses about half as much fuel as a small car. It also emits considerably less carbon dioxide, so has a much smaller carbon footprint.
Although signs don't reflect it, apparently motorcycles are tolerated in city bus lanes, such as the one on Constellation Drive. But can they use these legally?
Jon Addison, Milford
No, motorcycles will be prohibited from using the busway, as they are on all motorway bus lanes. The busway is only for buses although there are mutterings about allowing HOVs (high occupancy vehicles) on the busway when it is completely open in February.
Because of the speed that buses will travel at on the busway, it is thought that it would be dangerous to allow smaller vehicles like motorcycles to share the lanes.
But yes, motorcycles are allowed in the bus lanes within North Shore City, although, on the Shore, they are called transit lanes. They are specifically for vehicles with three or more people, buses and taxis, motorcycles and bikes.
