At 5am on Sunday 25 March, two of the give way rules changed to make New Zealand’s roads safer.

Whether you drive, walk, cycle or ride, you’ll need to know about the changes to stay safe on our roads.

Change 1: The left-turn versus right-turn rule

This new rule requires all traffic turning right to give way to all vehicles coming from the opposite direction and turning left.

Facing no signs or signals Facing the same signs or signals

This new rule applies at cross roads, T-intersections and driveways where:

• both vehicles are facing each other with no signs or signals (as shown above)
• both vehicles are facing give way signs
• both vehicles are facing stop signs (as shown above)
• both vehicles are facing green traffic signals.

Think: If you’re turning right, give way.

Change 2: Uncontrolled T-intersections

The new rule will require all traffic turning right from a terminating road (bottom of the T) with no signs or signals, to give way to all vehicles on the continuing road (top of the T). 

Think: Top of the T goes before me.

This change brings it into line with T-intersections where there are Stop or Give Way signs on the terminating road. This change also applies at driveways including public driveways such as at a supermarket or hospital. Vehicles should continue to give way to pedestrians on a footpath, or cyclists and pedestrians on a cycle path or shared path.

Why have the rules changed?

Overall, the give way rule changes will reduce the level of judgement needed in complex and dynamic traffic environments, and are expected to promote smoother traffic flow and improve safety.

Public awareness campaign

A dedicated web page is available at www.giveway.govt.nz with resources such as leaflets in various languages, a video and interactive quiz about the changes. National advertising starts on 15 March.

Five things to remember:

• Only two give way rules have changed
• They changed at 5am on Sunday 25 March 2012
• Change 1: Left turn v right turn. Remember: if you’re turning right give way
• Change 2: Uncontrolled T-intersections. Remember: Top of the T goes before me
• Driveways are like T-intersections – so ‘Top of the T goes before me’ still applies

Please see the attachment below for illustrative examples.

Attachment
NZTA give way rules 2012 general_FINAL_web.pdf