Right-turn rule to change but not before World Cup

Transport Minister Steven Joyce. File photo / Sarah Ivey

A big advertising campaign will prepare drivers for a change to the idiosyncratic right-of-way road rules, but the change will not come until after the Rugby World Cup.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce yesterday confirmed that give-way rules for turning vehicles would be brought into line with the rest of the world by early 2012.

He said the Government did consider bringing the law change in before next year's cup, which is expected to attract up to 85,000 visitors to the country, many of whom will be driving and will be unused to the quirky rule.

"But it just isn't practical to bring it in in time. You've got to have time for the rule change and the consultation which is prescribed in legislation. You would end up doing it right on the World Cup."

The rule, which dates back to the late 1970s, says vehicles turning left at an intersection have to give way to right-turning traffic coming towards them. The change flagged this year and confirmed yesterday by Mr Joyce will mean left-turning vehicles will have right of way.

Changes are also planned to the rules for conflicting right turns at T-intersections. The present rule will be reversed so traffic turning right off the through road will have the right of way.

Research suggests the changes could reduce crashes at intersections by 7 per cent when the rule is in play, and save a couple of motorists' lives each year, but Mr Joyce said it would also benefit pedestrians and cyclists at intersections.

The minister also announced moves to improve motorcycle and moped safety by strengthening licence tests and making them more motorcycle-specific.

He said motorcycle deaths had risen 68 per cent since 2004 while registrations had quadrupled.

The increase in motorcyclists was partly because of an increase in mopeds, "but a large part of it is lifestyle", said Mr Joyce.

"A lot of baby boomers are getting back on their bikes."

The ability for motorcyclists to reduce their time on a restricted licence by completing an approved defensive driving or "Street Talk" course will be removed, and novice riders over 25 will also lose the right to a shorter minimum period on a restricted licence.

New motorcycle-specific training as an alternative to the standard testing regime will also be introduced and new riders will be restricted to machines with a power-to-weight ratio limit to replace the current 250cc engine-size restriction, "as there are now high-performance bikes available with a low cc", Mr Joyce said.

Peter McIntosh, president of the Ulysses Club, which represents older motorcyclists, welcomed the changes.

"In general we support what's been done. It's important that we actually strengthen up so that when a young rider goes on the road, they actually have some skills around riding rather than just being able to ride around a few cones on the basic skills test."

Mr McIntosh said some 250cc motorcycles were more powerful and faster than bikes of twice that capacity.

BENEFITS

Official estimates say the new give-way rule will each year prevent:

1 death.

13 serious injuries.

84 minor injuries.