Final countdown to give way changes

Media Release: 23 March 2012

Final countdown to give way changes

Don’t expect everyone to know our new give way rules on Sunday, the AA is advising road users.

From 5am 25 March, the give way rules for two situations are changing. These will apply at T-intersections and when a vehicle turning left is facing an oncoming vehicle turning right.

The give way rules in all other situations, including at roundabouts, will remain exactly the same.

“Hopefully everyone will have spent time learning the new rules but it’s natural that people will be a bit nervous about the changes when they get behind the wheel from Sunday,” says AA Motoring Affairs General Manager Mike Noon.

“It’s worth emphasising that when they had similar changes in Victoria, Australia in 1993 they went smoothly and, if Australian drivers can do it, the AA is sure Kiwi drivers will adapt just as quickly and easily.”

It will obviously take a while for the new rules to become second-nature for drivers, so the AA is encouraging everyone to show extra caution at intersections for some time.

“You may know the new rules but other drivers may not, so drivers should be ready to stop at an intersection even if they have the right of way,” says Mr Noon.

“Take an extra moment to make sure what any other vehicles are doing before you go yourself and if someone is going to cut in front of you when they shouldn’t don’t try and push in front of them.

“Being safe is more important than being right.

“We’ll all need to be more cautious as everyone adjusts to the changes but they will ultimately make turning at our intersections safer and simpler.”

Research has estimated these changes will considerably reduce the amount of crashes at intersections, thereby saving one life and preventing nearly 100 injuries each year.

Anyone not sure about the rule changes should check out www.aa.co.nz/giveway-changes and www.giveway.govt.nz

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