You would have had to be living in a cave for the last month in New Zealand if you weren't aware that the road rules changed today (Sunday) at 5 a.m. These rules have been advertised, explained and cautioned about on the radio, television and in/around public places for weeks now. Today, the new changes were headline news and the topic of every conversation. As I listened to the news all day while cleaning, it seemed that Kiwi drivers are doing well with the rules so far even though "widespread confusion" was predicted.
I have been paying close attention to the new rules not only because I find them a little bit confusing (take the quiz and see how YOU do) and because I want to drive here in the future, but also because I make the daily commute to and from work by bike. Some of my commute involves the main road and a couple of intersections. In honor of the new rule changes, I bought a $10 neon yellow reflective vest and started wearing it today in hopes of being incredibly visible.
So why the change? According to the Dominion Post "The new give-way rules introduced today bring New Zealand in line with other countries and are designed to make intersections safer. Intersection crashes currently account for 20 per cent of the fatal and serious injury crashes on our roads. When the Australian state of Victoria changed its give-way rules in 1993 its crash rate dropped 7 per cent and experts expect a similar reduction here. That could mean one fewer death, 13 fewer serious injuries and 84 fewer minor injuries from crashes at intersections each year."
What are some of the new changes? a) "If you're turning right, give way." All traffic turning right must give way to vehicles coming from the opposite direction and turning left. This 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. It does not apply at intersections with roundabouts.
b) "Top of the T goes before me." At uncontrolled T-intersections all traffic from a terminating road (bottom of the T) must give way to all traffic on a continuing road (top of the T).
In other breaking NZ headline news, "Marmite shortage spurs 'Marmageddon' fears." Here's hoping that the Kiwis can live to see another week despite having to drive like the rest of the world and all without their morning Marmite.
I heard about these stories on NPR - have you tried the marmite? I wondered what it tasted like.
I hate to sound uninformed, but I am uninformed. Methinks "marmite" better be the topic of your next blog. d