Ad blitz before we give way to change

Next Sunday will be a very interesting day on our nation's roads.

That's the day two new give way rules come into effect and, if this editorial is the first you've heard of the change, then you've got a bit of ground to make up.

Just in case you missed it, from 5am on March 25, all right-turning traffic has to give way to all vehicles coming from the opposite direction, as well as those turning left.

The rule applies at crossroads, T-intersections and driveways where both vehicles are facing each other with no signs or signals, or the same signs or signals.

At uncontrolled T-intersections, all traffic at the bottom of the T turning right will have to give way to all vehicles at the top of the T on the continuing road.

There's already been an unsurprising amount of speculation around both the way the rule changes have been promoted, and their likely impact.

Rather than engaging in a drawn-out education programme for drivers, the New Zealand Transport Agency last week launched a $1.2 million 10-day advertising blitz across television, radio, newspapers and the internet, plus a leaflet drop into more than 1.7 million homes.

There's plenty of differing views on the best way to promote the changes but, on the face of it, it's hard to find fault with NZTA's logic that by promoting the rule change shortly before it takes effect, it lessens the chance of people making the switch early.

Nevertheless, despite the best intentions of NZTA, it will ultimately be this country's drivers that determine whether the rule change goes off smoothly.

One of the messages which constantly gets drilled into young drivers is that having a driver's licence is a privilege, not a right, and that by getting behind the wheel of a vehicle you take on a certain level of responsibility.

Wise words indeed, and words that could easily now be applied to drivers of all ages, as the new laws come into effect.

By now, it seems, most people are aware there's a law change coming. However, many appear to remain vague on some of the details of the change.

It goes without saying that everyone who carries a driver's licence will hopefully devote a bit of time this week to bringing themselves up to speed with the new rules.

After all, it's not just about keeping yourself safe - it's also about keeping every other road user safe as well.

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