Ask Phoebe: Orange beacon can signal slowing - with permission

Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

I notice that a lot of large trucks are using a flashing orange light on top of the cab. This is quite confusing to motorists as orange is usually the colour used by roadwork vehicles. Now it's so common on trucks you take no notice. Why are these big trucks using these flashing lights? Judy Robinson, Auckland.

The Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, a very useful document, states in Part 8.5 (Use of Beacons) that a beacon must be approved before use.

As well as outlining the use of red, blue, green and white beacons, the rules say an amber beacon may be fitted to a vehicle in accordance with a traffic management plan approved by a road-controlling authority. It also allows the use of an amber beacon when the vehicle will be stopped or driven slowly and where other road users need to be aware of this. Pilot vehicles with oversized trucks or trucks with oversized loads are a good example.

In all of these cases, the beacon must be approved.

Why is the Transport Authority spraying hay on to the dirt beside roadworks? I have seen it in several locations. Do they then let cattle on it to compact the road surface, to save money on rollers? Stephen Hansen, Auckland.

No, Mr Hansen, livestock have no place in road building. The hay is frequently laid over earth banks beside roadworks as sediment control. It is an environmental requirement during winter, to help stop run-off.

What are the rules regarding right-turning traffic at a four-way intersection? If you are turning into a two-lane road, is the right-turning vehicle obliged to remain in the right lane or allowed to cross into the left lane once it has turned? Must a left-turning vehicle give way to allow the right-turning vehicle to cross into the left lane, or can it continue, knowing there is a dedicated left lane? Raj Rughunanan, Auckland.

The Road Code says if you are on the left-hand side of the road, you should stay on the left-hand side of the road after you've turned, or if you are in a lane next to the centre line, you should turn into the lane next to the centre line.

A good instance of this situation is at the Northwestern Motorway onramp from Newton Rd. The onramp begins as a two-lane road, so both drivers can turn at the same time, as long as they stay in their own lanes throughout the turn.

You should signal your intention, so no one gets a nasty surprise, and then the left-turner turns into the left-hand lane on the onramp, and the right-turner into the right-hand lane. You should, however, be prepared to stop in case the other driver is not as well up on traffic law as you.