These changes will affect all drivers, riders, pedestrians and cyclists. Make sure you know the new rules so you’ll know what to do.
Go to the NZ Transport Agency site for more details.
Take this quiz to see how well you understand the new changes.
Give way rules FAQs Full chart of illustrations (large file)
Change 1: The left-turn versus right-turn rule
From 5am on 25 March 2012, this new rule will require all traffic turning right to give way to a vehicle coming from the opposite direction and turning left. This applies at cross roads, T-intersections and driveways where:
a) both vehicles are facing each other with no signs or signals (neither vehicle is
controlled)
b) both vehicles are facing give way signs
c) both vehicles are facing stop signs
d) both vehicles are facing green traffic signals
Examples of common situations where the new rule will apply are shown below. For example in the diagrams at right the RED car with the dotted arrow has to give way to the GREEN car with the solid arrow.
See Full chart of illustrations (large file)
Change 2: At uncontrolled T-intersections (‘uncontrolled’ means when there are no signs or signals to tell you what to do)At an uncontrolled T-intersection, all traffic from a terminating road (bottom of the T) will have to give way to all traffic on a continuing road (top of the T). This will bring it into line with T-intersections where there are Stop or Give Way signs on the terminating road. In the diagram below the RED car with the dotted arrow has to give way to the GREEN car with the solid arrow.
Full chart of illustrations (large file)
