Ask Phoebe: New plates? You're FN joking

Phoebe Falconer. Photo / Natalie Slade

I have been following the issue of the new number plate series. I have watched out for the arrival of the new first two letters since AA appeared in 2001. New pairs appear at roughly one month intervals. Last August, I was expecting to see FN, but FP was the next (I, O, V and X are not used). I have yet to see FN. Do you know why? There should be more than 20,000 out there.
Ray Turner, Epsom.

Yes, I do know why. In order not to offend public sensibilities, the Transport Agency decided against using the letters FN, as they could be seen to be an abbreviation of a common swear word (with the stress on the letter F) even though they would be followed by another letter.

I live near a busy intersection in Avondale, where New North Rd, Blockhouse Bay Rd, St Jude St and Crayford St meet. Recently I witnessed a near-miss when a driver tried to turn right from St Jude into Blockhouse Bay Rd in the face of oncoming traffic. It seems the problem started last year when the intersection was closed over a weekend for much needed repairs. The traffic lights were realigned, and free turns removed. When the road markings were redone, two arrows were painted on St Jude St indicating a slight right-hand turn (which means New North Rd) and a left arrow for Blockhouse Bay Rd. Some drivers seem to read the right arrow on St Jude as meaning they can turn right into Blockhouse Bay Rd, which they are not allowed to do. There is only a very small sign on a pole indicating No Right Turn from St Jude into Blockhouse Bay Rd. Could the signs be improved, do you think?
Lynette Reid, Avondale.

As you drive up St Jude St, there is a sign telling you there are lane changes ahead. I think the road markings are clear enough, but perhaps Auckland Transport might consider beefing up the sign that says No Right Turn from St Jude St into Blockhouse Bay Rd.

I ride a 150cc motor scooter and frequently ride in the bus lanes (mainly on the Northwestern Motorway). I wondered at the legality of this and telephoned Auckland Council. A lady referred to a booklet she had, and advised me that two-wheeled vehicles were okay to ride in the bus lanes. Is this correct?
Alex Constable, Auckland.

I feel your helpful person at the council may have been confused between city bus lanes, where motorcycles and scooters and bicycles are allowed, and motorway bus lanes, where they are not. A quick drive along the Northwestern Motorway indicated that only buses may use the bus lanes there, during specified hours. Nor may motorcyclists use motorway onramps, in the hope of accessing the motorway shoulder as a lane. There are safety issues attached to vehicles in general, and motorcycles in particular, in using the onramp shoulder as a lane because of different carriageway heights and levels of skid resistance.