No 'major issues' seen in give way rule change

Driving instructor Jim Pine guides learner driver Mitchell White (20) through an intersection in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.

The Dunedin City Council has assessed and risk-rated more than 170 intersections in the lead-up to looming changes to the give-way rules in New Zealand.

From 5am on March 25, all traffic turning right will have to give way to all vehicles coming from the opposite direction and turning left.

Intersection crashes account for 20% of fatal and serious-injury crashes, and the rule is designed to make intersections safer.

It replaces the present rule which was implemented in 1977, stating those turning left must give way to right-turning traffic.

New Zealand Transport Agency media manager Andy Knackstedt said about $1.2 million had been budgeted for an advertising and promotional campaign to raise awareness of the give-way rule changes.

However, the cost of changing road markings and traffic light phases to accommodate the new give-way rules would be the responsibility of road controlling authorities such as the Dunedin City Council.

These costs would be given priority within their individual land transport programmes.

DCC transportation operations senior traffic engineer Ron Minnema said the assessed intersections included those on all arterial and collector roads within Dunedin's territorial boundaries.

The council had rated them in terms of risk to drivers and pedestrians.

"Of the 176 we have assessed, we have only identified one intersection as needing minor changes - the Stuart St, Moray Pl intersection by the Fortune Theatre.

"We will put in a green arrow for traffic turning right off Moray Pl to go up Stuart St. Otherwise, they won't have a chance of getting around the corner.

"The rest of the intersections, we don't think there will be any major issues."

Mr Knacksted said the rule change could potentially increase delays for right-turning vehicles as opportunities for turning would be lost, and there might be costs associated with addressing this.

"At intersections controlled by traffic signals, longer right-turn phases may be necessary to prevent excessive queue length.

"At other intersections, there may be a need to provide exclusive right-turn lanes where there is no need at present.

"At busier give-way controlled intersections that have high flows of turning traffic and significant delays, the proposal may bring forward the need for traffic signals."

Mr Knackstedt said it was important to note the change to the give-way rule would not affect existing signs or road markings at intersections.

Driving instructor and former Ministry of Transport and police officer Jim Pine, of J Pine Driver Education, said he could not see any problems resulting from the rule change.

"People are just going to have to realise the rules have changed and be aware.

"They have done it in the past. Education is the biggest key."

Mr Pine also believed tourists visiting New Zealand would benefit from the change.

"We're the only country in the world that operates like this.

"If we want more tourists to come here and drive safely, this is a good move."

john.lewis@odt.co.nz