Ask Phoebe: Give way rule golden if two opposite turns are on green

Khyber Pass Rd.

I feel I take my life in my hands when I turn left out of Parkfield Tce on to Khyber Pass Rd. Judy Cameron, AucklandI feel I take my life in my hands when I turn left (on the green light) out of Parkfield Tce on to Khyber Pass Rd. Drivers turning right from Boston Rd opposite, also on a green light, appear to think they have the right of way.

Only once in all the times I've turned have I been given right of way. I've been tail-gated and followed down Khyber Pass Rd, given rude hand gestures and been intimidated by some drivers.

It is safer to disregard the road rules. Or am I missing something? Judy Cameron, Auckland.

Although it appears Parkfield Tce and Boston Rd are slightly offset, they are governed by the same set of traffic lights, and the following rule applies.

The Road Code requires all traffic turning right to give way to a vehicle coming from the opposite direction and turning left. This applies at cross roads, T-intersections and driveways where both vehicles are facing each other with no signs or signals, or the same signs or signals.

Turning left from Parkfield into Khyber Pass brings you into a bus lane. You may use this lane to turn into outside the advertised hours, so that you and the right-turning vehicle may turn at the same time. Otherwise, the right-turner must give way to you.

At the junction of Glenbrook Beach Rd and the Glenbrook-Waiuku Rd, a sign reads Drury 17km. Seven kilometres further a sign says Drury 16km. The second sign is correct so why isn't the first Drury 23km? Strangers must think we have very long kilometres. I phoned the responsible authorities twice years ago, but why has no correction been made?

Basil Hutchinson, Hillsborough.

The squeaky hinge gets the oil, Mr Hutchinson. Auckland Transport thanks you for bringing this matter to its attention. Contractors will be sent out to change the Waiuku signs so they show the correct information.

Someone told me recently that if we tie the tops of the plastic bags, for example, the supermarket ones, in which we put our papers for recycling, they are discarded because it's just too much hassle to open them. Is this correct? We put out about five bags a fortnight being a paper-ish sort of household and tie them up to ensure nothing blows away. If it's true, surely the council should tell people? I hate to think of all that paper not being recycled after all. Cathy Fraser, Devonport.

When the blue-topped recycling bins were first delivered, the information supplied with them said newspapers and other waste paper should be placed loosely in the bin. Tying them up in plastic bags can clog the recycling machinery and contaminate the truckload of waste.