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Thread ID: 104930 2009-11-13 02:16:00 The stupidity that is the NZ give way rule, as seen from the eyes of an Aussie wratterus (105) PC World Chat
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829677 2009-11-13 02:16:00 ...I’m talking about the abomination that is the New Zealand right-hand-turn rule.

This piece of ludicrous legislation has been a constant source of annoyance and danger every single day of my life since moving here.

Now, I know I’ve previously been a tad critical of the relative abilities of drivers in NZ. However in this case it’s really not them that’s at fault, but rather the idiot lawmakers that have imposed this stupidity. It doesn’t help of course that 42% of NZ drivers cannot use roundabouts, but in this case, they shouldn’t be the main target of the blame.

I’m absolutely certain that this is an issue that every motorist can agree on, whether you’re a born-and-bred Kiwi, or a half-wit Australian blogger.

For the uninitiated, let me explain. Consider the following intersection (see the first attached image)

Now, a quick quiz:

In what order should the cars proceed in their desired direction?

A) Blue, yellow, red

B) Red, blue, yellow

Got your answer? Good.

The correct response, if you’re driving in NZ, would be *drumroll* B.

I know: ridiculous, ay bro?

Still not clear? Let me show you just why this is nuts. (see the second attached image)

This is what can, and does, happen. True story.

To further understand why the laws are wrong, let’s get inside the minds of the drivers in each car.

Blue car – “Righty-oh then, I’d better give way to the red chap. Unless of course the yellow fellow behind me is planning on slipping past my rear, in which case I could in fact turn left.”

Red car – “Shut bro, I’ve got the right of way here, but I dunno what this dude in the yellow Mutsubushi is planning to do.”

Yellow car – “If this little prick in front just nudges ahead three more inches I’m gonna floor it and screw anyone who gets in the way.”

See the issue? nobody knows what the hell is going on.

And what follows is a game of chicken. It’s the scene out of Dirty Harry: just who is feeling lucky, punk? Honestly, when the light turn green at an intersection in NZ, there is a full second pause when everyone is just too scared to move a muscle.

Still need convincing? Let’s weight up the pros and cons of this debacle:

Pros: Absolutely nought.

Cons: Ambiguous, illogical, dangerous.

The better way for the vehicles to proceed is of course blue, yellow, red.The right-turner gives way to all traffic coming in the other direction. Clear and easy. The left-turner has the right of way, and thus there is no need for the car behind to slip around the side, as she only has to wait a second before they can go.

Once again, the pros and cons:

Pros: Unambiguous, logical, safe, and it works.

Cons: Occasionally it sucks to be the one turning right. Solution: have a separate “right-turn” light at the busier intersections. Solved.

Now I’m not suggesting that this way is better simply because it the sane Australian way. It’s just plain better, full stop. I’ve proven it. Semi-scientifically. With diagrams and everything.

What I’d like to know from you guys is, are there any redeeming features of the NZ way that I’m missing? Is there anything at all to be said for the status-quo? I sure as **** can’t see it.

From here (fushnchups.co.nz). All credit to the blogger, he's a champion, an aussie, but a champion none the less. 		wratterus (105)
829678 2009-11-13 02:17:00 Damn Skippies. Go the hell home. Metla (12)
829679 2009-11-13 02:30:00 No. You're completely and utterly wrong. Red has right of way over blue, but unless they're a moron they give way to the yellow car. Blue uses mirrors properly, sees yellow, sees that red isn't going to go, and everyone goes in the correct order. It's seriously not that difficult. If you can't figure this out, you need to downgrade back to oz.


Honestly, when the light turn green at an intersection in NZ, there is a full second pause when everyone is just too scared to move a muscle.

What the **** are you doing on our roads without knowing our road rules. On a light turning green, drivers waiting must check that the way is clear before proceeding into the intersection. This may indeed take a full second. 		roddy_boy (4115)
829680 2009-11-13 02:42:00 if we designed a system from the start then the Australian way maybe a little better.

but...

to change the system would cause all sorts of issues, many drivers would get it wrong. 		robsonde (120)
829681 2009-11-13 02:45:00 This crazy left turn rule came from Australia first so why complain??

And while we're crazy road rules , anyone remember the crazy right hand rule they had there?? You had to give way to any vehicle on your right regardless of what sort of road they were coming out of.. Fortunately they ditched it in the late 1970s though wen i first drove in Ozz in 1980 there was still a bit of this still lurking in some drivers minds. You had to watch out especially on the open roads that some farmer would come out of his driveway and try to turn in front of you.. 		paulw (1826)
829682 2009-11-13 02:51:00 A) Blue, yellow, red

B) Red, blue, yellow


Still not clear? Let me show you just why this is nuts. (see the second attached image)



Moron drivers will be around regardless of what rules there are.
I don't have a problem with the current situation. 		pctek (84)
829683 2009-11-13 02:59:00 Wratty, you are absolutely right. We used to have the old 'Right hand rule' whereby you gave way to any traffic on your right, unless you were TURNING right, in which case you gave way to everybody, until it was clear to turn. We changed in about 1974 in response to a projected change in Australia (purportedly to ease the way for trams in Melbourne in heavy traffic). Aussie didn't change, we did. STUPID!!! Now The Government here proposes changing back, but nobody has the guts to do it. STUPID AGAIN!!! The Samoan Government has more guts than ours. The sooner we get on with it the better. :annoyed::annoyed: Richard (739)
829684 2009-11-13 03:02:00 Funny that rule is mentioned - when in Aussie last week, the first thing the rental car company did after signing the papers was point this road rule out, as it differs from NZ to Aussie. As the lady said we are the only country that has it that way around.
Solution: have a separate “right-turn” light at the busier intersections. Thats exactly what the Aussies have - and it works fine. Our apartment over looked a busy intersection and the traffic flowed nicely, and in some places even allowed you to do U turns in the intersection - no worries. 		wainuitech (129)
829685 2009-11-13 03:13:00 Wratty, you are absolutely right. We used to have the old 'Right hand rule' whereby you gave way to any traffic on your right, unless you were TURNING right, in which case you gave way to everybody, until it was clear to turn. We changed in about 1974 in response to a projected change in Australia (purportedly to ease the way for trams in Melbourne in heavy traffic). Aussie didn't change, we did. STUPID!!! Now The Government here proposes changing back, but nobody has the guts to do it. STUPID AGAIN!!! The Samoan Government has more guts than ours. The sooner we get on with it the better. :annoyed::annoyed:

IMO we really do have it the wrong way. Almost being driven into this afternoon has triggered this little rant.

We can blame aussie for it originally, but they changed back in the 90s. We can now blame our government, who don't have the balls to change it. It's a pain, around Mot/Nelson there are a lot of uncontrolled intersections, being summer it's getting busier and there are a few intersections that are just impossible. Granted, if everyone did abide by the rules all would be gravy, but people don't, probably because the rule is un-natural and difficult.

Wish they would change it, I just can't see it happening. AA have been lobbying for it to be changed back for years. The mere fact that we are the only country in the world with this rule has got to tell you something. :( 		wratterus (105)
829686 2009-11-13 03:23:00 IMO we really do have it the wrong way.

We do indeed, Its a stupid system, But you can find any number of Kiwi's who comprehend how stupid it is without needing Aussie input.

I too wish they would change it, In the event people are too stupid to adjust then they should be removed off the road anyhow. Funny enough many thousands of Kiwis migrate to Aussie each year and don't crash due to a slightly different road code. 		Metla (12)
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