Ask Phoebe: Roundabouts free from give-way change

5:30 AM Tuesday Dec 20, 2011

Can you please advise how the following will work when the new road rules are in place next year. Under the new regime, when entering a roundabout going right do you give way to the left or will give-way signs come into play and you will continue to give way to the right? If there are no give-way signs in place at a roundabout, will you give way to the right or to the left?

- Trinda Jackson, Auckland.

The new give-way rules come into force at 5am on Sunday, March 25. What a fun day that will be.

The new rules will apply to all drivers, riders, pedestrians and cyclists in New Zealand.

In regard to the questions you ask, Ms Jackson, there will be no changes to the give-way rules at roundabouts. You will continue to give way to vehicles on a roundabout coming from your right. If an intersection or roundabout is signposted in any way, you must obey the signs.

For more information on the new give-way rules, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/around-nz/road-user-rule.html

I have received my first rates bill from the new Auckland Council. The third line of address reads MANUKAU CITY 2013. This was last year's address. It no longer exists. Are there any plans to change such addresses from Manukau (or wherever) to Auckland at the council end, or do tens of thousands of ratepayers have to complain individually?

- Wayne Oakley, Manukau City.

The council was a little bemused by your question, Mr Oakley, as Manukau City is still an area within the Auckland Council region.

The address used is not an indication of the council you are governed by, but more the area in which your property lies.

I have been pulled over on two occasions by police officers for riding my scooter in a bus lane. I understand that it is okay to use the bus lanes and to move ahead when the bus light comes on. Is this correct? Should the police officers not know this?

- Mike Williams, Auckland.

You may ride your scooter in bus lanes that are marked for such use, for example where the sign for the lane has pictures of a bus, a scooter and a bicycle. Such lanes are commonly found within the city area.

You may not ride your scooter in a motorway bus lane or a bus lane marked "buses only". Police officers should be aware of the distinction.

At the motorway on-ramp traffic signals there are signs saying one vehicle per green light. Does this mean if there are four green lights, four cars can go? On one occasion there were four sets of lights but only two were going. Does this mean just two cars go?

- Philip Richards, Auckland.

I have never seen an on-ramp with four sets of green lights but clearly they exist. One vehicle per green light means just that - if there are four sets of lights and four lanes for traffic, one vehicle may go in each lane and merge further down the track.

I'm not sure what the story is with only two sets of lights working - perhaps the others were out of commission. I would err on the side of caution and obey the two working sets.