Draft Road User Rule released for consultation

For immediate release
18 December 2002

Draft Road User Rule released for public consultation

New Zealanders are being asked to comment on proposed changes to the country's traffic rules with the release of the draft Road User Rule for public consultation.

The consultation process is a key part of the first major review of New Zealand traffic rules since 1976, with comment sought on proposals affecting car and truck drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and other road users.

The draft rule proposes changes to seven areas of traffic law where the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) believes safety can be improved.

These are: pedestrian crossings; roundabouts; cycle lanes and other special use lanes; headlight use; rules for scooters, skateboards and 'mobility devices'; speed limits for heavy vehicles and the give-way rules.

Feedback is also being sought on the issues of cellphone use while driving, left turns on red lights and the speed limit when driving past school buses.

Once consultation is completed, the LTSA will present its recommendations to the Minister of Transport. Government will then decide which proposals should proceed and be made into new traffic law.

Submissions on the draft Road User Rule close on 18 March 2003. Submission forms, an overview of the rule with detailed information on each proposal and a question and answer document with diagrams are all available from the LTSA’s web-site www.ltsa.govt.nz, or by ringing 0800 699 000.

ENDS

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