Traffic rules revamp to scrap dangerous give-way law

By CATHY ARONSON transport reporter

Drivers will have to learn new give-way rules if major changes to traffic laws go ahead next year.

Instead of giving way to traffic turning right, the rule followed by New Zealanders for the past 25 years, drivers turning right would give way to traffic turning left.

Traffic approaching a T-intersection would give way to traffic on a continuing road.

The change is part of the first review of traffic rules since 1977 and proposes stricter conditions for roundabouts, crossings, cycle lanes, skateboarders and mobility scooters and bus doors.

The right-hand rule was designed to be simple and easy to remember but the Land Transport Safety Authority says the law creates accidents and restricts traffic flow.

It is also confusing for the growing number of tourists, as New Zealand is the only country in the world with the right-hand rule.

The rule change has been mooted by the LTSA since 2000 and after consultation has come back unchanged for one last round of submissions before a decision is made by December next year.

After initial opposition it now has the support of major road user groups, including the Automobile Association, the police, driving instructors, traffic engineers, Transit and Transfund.

The LTSA said the present rule created more accidents by leaving too much to guesswork, including relying on proper signalling.

Crashes at intersections account for about 30 per cent of injury crashes in New Zealand.

Changing the rule would remove the need for a driver turning right to judge the intentions of oncoming traffic, especially those behind a vehicle turning left.

The driver turning left would not have to consider the traffic behind them but would be more aware of what is around the corner, including pedestrians.

They would not have to peer into headlights at night when looking at approaching traffic for right-turning vehicles.

AA spokesman George Fairburn said the existing right-hand rule had no safety benefits but a survey of its members in 1997 showed that 76 per cent did not want the rules changed.

"The rule is second nature to a whole generation and a sudden and significant change would have to be carefully managed."

A submission by the AA driver education foundation supported the rule change, saying it would lower the risk at intersections and reduce the decision-making burden on drivers.

Insurance Council chief executive Chris Ryan said the introduction could create confusion and accidents. He suggested it be introduced during summer for clearer visibility and shorter stopping distances on dry roads.

LTSA spokesman Andy Knackstedt said it proposed a $900,000 six-month advertising campaign before the change became law.

The rule was successfully changed in Victoria, Australia, in 1993 with a large publicity campaign and it reduced injury crashes by 1 to 3 per cent a year.

In New Zealand it would reduce the average 692 injury crashes by 21 a year. The rule would need minor engineering changes, including traffic signal phasing and right-hand median strips at some intersections.

PLANNED RULE CHANGES

* Give-way rule: Drivers turning right to give way to approaching traffic turning left into the same road. Traffic approaching T-intersection gives way to traffic on a continuing road. At present, turning drivers give way to all traffic crossing or coming from the right.

* Vehicles prevented from parking or driving on lanes designated for cyclists, buses and high-occupancy vehicles.

* Headlights on longer - from sunset to sunrise instead of half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.

* Scooters, skateboards, in-line skates and mobility devices restricted to footpath, with 10km/h speed limit. At present, no restrictions except bylaws.

* 90km/h speed limit for all heavy vehicles - increases limit from 80km/h at present for truck-and-trailer units.

* Bus doors must be closed before the vehicle moves instead of while it moves off.

* Drivers must give way to pedestrians on crossings unless there is a traffic island.

Source: Draft Land Transport road-user rule, from the Land Transport Safety Authority