INTERSECTION TRAFFIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1943, Page 2

INTERSECTION TRAFFIC

RIGHT HAND RULE NEW REGULATION ISSUED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. A new regulation dealing with the application of the right-hand traffic rule at intersections Was gazetted last evening. The Minister of Transport, Mr O’Brien, said that following, the recent, decision of the Full Court he had had representations from a number of organisations that the former regulation as interpreted by the Court was a source of danger to road users. The interpretation made it necessary for a motorist about to proceed directly across an intersection to give way to an approaching motorist turning across his path. This was at variance with all safe driving practice adopted by motorists for years past. “In this circumstance,” said the Minister. “I considered it essential to ha»<e a new regulation drafted and this was circulated to the motor unions, the Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin City Councils, the various commercial operators’ associations and the New Zealand Drivers’ Union. All of these bodies replied approving of the proposed new regulation, and it will now come into fotee on December 23.

“This regulation in no way interferes with the general principle of the righthand rule at intersections, but it is intended that any motorist who is turning or about to turn to the right and is therefore required to signal a turning to the right, must himself give way to all vehicles other than horsedrawn.

“I am advised that the foregoing intention is legally given effect to by the new regulation, and therefore it is important for motorists and cyclists to know that during the Christmas season and afterward when they are about to turn or are turning to the right theygive way to other motorists or cyclists.”