Editorial: Swift intersection rule change makes sense

Steven Joyce, Minister of Transport. Photo / Brett Phibbs

This country's rule dictating that left-turning vehicles give way to traffic turning right has always been an oddity.

It is out of step internationally, and is prone to cause momentary confusion if a following car is not turning. Yet it survived, largely because New Zealand drivers became accustomed to it and because changing would entail a large cost in altering traffic light phasing and suchlike and in educating drivers. Overall, the problems associated with it seemed simply not worth the trouble of doing away with it.

Nonetheless, the Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, has decided a change will be made. He cites the usual reasons and, in addition, research that suggests there will be a 7 per cent reduction in relevant intersection crashes. He has the support of the Automobile Association, even though it estimates the switch will cost $3 million. The AA also suggests the rule has been responsible for as many as 2560 intersection crashes each year.

If that is so, a fair percentage of these surely involve drivers from overseas who are unfamiliar with the rule.

Why, then, is Mr Joyce delaying the switch until early 2012, months after the Rugby World Cup? Something like 85,000 overseas tourists are expected for the event. Many of them will drive at some stage of their visit, adding to the confusion at intersections.

The rule change has been well flagged. If the minister is intent on it, logic suggests that, like World Cup hospitality arrangements, it should be fast-tracked.