Editorial: Turning - a new leaf

Much of the process of driving from one place to another is instinctive - we don't always consciously tell ourselves to change gear, indicate or give way because these actions come naturally. We are fine-tuned to the process through years of driving.

In a few weeks we'll be putting that instinct to the test.

One month from today New Zealand will join other countries which drive on the left, including Australia, Britain, Ireland, Singapore and Japan, by switching to a system in which free left turning traffic has right of way at intersections.

Since 1977 New Zealand drivers have operated under a system I've seen described as "treating every uncontrolled intersection like a roundabout", or as was taught me as a learner driver, give way to traffic on your right turning right.

It's not just uncontrolled intersections that have needed attention though.

I remember in Wellington coming across a four-way intersection with a stop sign on each side. (See bit.ly/yEsHQJ)

Everyone driving through seemed to take extreme caution, as you would, not knowing exactly how other drivers would apply give way rules.

We can expect to see a lot of that caution and more than a touch of confusion when the new rules come in.

Let's face it, many people don't apply give way rules properly now.

If you're turning right out of an uncontrolled T-intersection, and there are a few in Rotorua, do you always (or ever) trust that the driver on your left turning into your street is going to give way?

Many people seem to assume wrongly that if they're turning off the through road they have right of way.

In a few weeks' time they'll finally be right.

It will be interesting to see how the new rules affect traffic at certain busy Rotorua intersections, like Victoria and Ranolf Sts.

At present cars wait to turn left into Victoria St, giving way to Ranolf St turners and holding up south-bound cars, which if they pass, cross the white line towards the oncoming turning traffic.

The Rotorua District Council told The Daily Post the adjacent Ranolf/Pererika Sts intersection and certain Te Ngae Rd corners will be among the most affected, but beyond additional congestion at busy spots, they are not expecting any major problems.

So the transition to the new rule should go relatively smoothly in Rotorua, and not provide too much extra business for local panelbeaters, provided we can all demonstrate the extra caution and consideration such a change requires, and master those driving instincts.