Should we change the 'right hand rule'?

By grant

I can understand why this rule is the most confusing for foreigners and coming back from overseas its the one I find hardest to explain to them- that you get the priority when crossing the centre line, as long as someone isn't coming straight through. And explaining it from the position of the left turning driver is even worse, that you have to check behind to see if anyone is coming through, which would effectively negate your need to give way!
But we don't need to change it just for visitors, we should change it because its a rule that does little for traffic flow or rule consistency.

By grant

I can understand why this rule is the most confusing for foreigners and coming back from overseas its the one I find hardest to explain to them- that you get the priority when crossing the centre line, as long as someone isn't coming straight through. And explaining it from the position of the left turning driver is even worse, that you have to check behind to see if anyone is coming through, which would effectively negate your need to give way!
But we don't need to change it just for visitors, we should change it because its a rule that does little for traffic flow or rule consistency.

By David

Lets be clear about this. Before the powers that be changed the original right hand rule, all traffic turning right gave way to everything. In 1977, the stupid rule makers decided to bring in the current abberation as a memorial to a work colleague who had just died. I kid you not. Then they stopped any further changed back to the more sensible rule with "it would be too confusing to change back". Change back to the sensible and safer right hand rule, now!

By Ange

I've been driving on the road 25yrs, I've never had a problem with the right hand rule - maybe those that don't understand it should walk or catch the bus. learn the road code or stay off the road.

By Roger

The rule was changed because of the number of crashes involving right-turning vehicles sitting, waiting in the middle of the road! Our new rule clears these away faster and more safely while a left-turning vehicle gives way. The right-turning vehicle can see if a car is coming straight through so would wait... allowing the left turning vehicle to make its turn whether it checks behind or not. I find it a perfectly logical and workable rule so don't change it!!

By Will

If they are going to change it they should do it next year, so the 2011 road code can introduce it, and then we don't have to re-print the 2010 one. I think that it is a perfectly good rule that people do learn to obay. If tourists and people new to NZ do not know about this rule, then they clearly do not know the road rules and should not drive at all.

By Mike

The existing rule is only half observed anyway. How many drivers turning right into an uncontrolled side road, give way to another car waiting to turn right out of the side road-practically none, but that is the law. The right turn rule is positively dangerous, and this is borne out by the number of crashes at intersections. Change it-of course we should.

By kane

If people are not being killed because of this rule leave it alone... Will this change cause more accidents than it does now... I believe it would... Lets get the talking on cell-phones under control.. The people who drink and drive off our roads.. Try too Get people too indicate at round a bouts... And leave this for another day... I think....