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Traffic - Source: ONE News -
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Transport Minister Steven Joyce has sparked a vigorous public debate with his road safety law change suggestions and says he isn't going to make any decisions until it has run its course.
Joyce was on Tuesday refusing to discuss his personal opinion on any of the 60-plus ideas he has released in a discussion document , the most controversial being raising the driving age from 15 to 17.
Other ideas include extending the learner licence period,
reducing the blood alcohol limits or increasing penalties for drink
driving, more speed cameras backed by stiff fines,
changes to the give way rule for turning traffic
, improvements to roads and more median barriers.
What do you think about the rule changes? Let us know on
the message board below.
Joyce says he didn't intend implementing all the suggestions.
"The purpose of this review is to have a public debate about which are the most likely to make an impact and the most necessary to adopt," he said, emphasising that public acceptance for any changes was important."
Immediate reactions came from Federated Farmers, which said raising the driving age would affect farming families which had limited travel options.
The Automobile Association says they didn't think simply raising the age would address lack of driver training.
"If you did raise the minimum driving age all you are really doing is killing them a year later" says AA spokesman Mike Noon.
One change could be making right turning cars give way to traffic turning left into the same road, which would give drivers less to think about.
It is estimated this could reduce intersection crashes by 7%, though it would take a $2 million education campaign to get drivers used to the idea, and $1 million to make changes to road signs and road markings.
According to the AA, New Zealand's give way rules are a factor in 2560 intersection crashes and one or two deaths each year.
The Alcohol Advisory Council says it supports recommendations around reducing blood alcohol limits, which were high by international standards.
"International experience shows that a reduction in the blood
alcohol level is likely to bring down mean alcohol levels amongst
all drivers, including the `hard core'," the council says.
What do you think about the possible changes? Are you for
or against raising the driving age, reducing the blood alcohol
level, changing the give way rule for turning traffic? Let us know
on the message board.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentgrenadier said on 2009-08-19 @ 17:27 NZDT: Report abusive post
If this road rule is so good, why is New Zealand the only country in the world using it? I have been driving (both on the left and the right) for 61 years, and I still remember how immature I was at age 15. No way was I ready to drive and endanger other persons at age 15.
prea said on 2009-08-19 @ 16:14 NZDT: Report abusive post
Make it compulsory to attend a driving school, in particular for 15 - 18 year olds, and only the driving school can apply for sitting exams. This way the 15+ year olds learn the rules and how to drive properly and the problem for parents having to take them everywhere will be a lot less.
silverdays said on 2009-08-19 @ 14:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
Perhaps the inability to understand simple road rules and follow them should be the criteria we use to refuse a drivers license. Too stupid to understand the rules and you would be considered too stupid to drive. Oh - wait - that is how it is supposed to be.
RickyBeee said on 2009-08-19 @ 11:10 NZDT: Report abusive post
WHINGING POM ALERT!Thank goodness this is being proposed. It's such a silly rule, and dangerous too.After 4 years I still have a moment of panic every time the situation arises. The worst moment is when you're turning right and a left turner is waiting for you BUT THERE'S SOMETHING COMING STRAIGHT ON behind the left turner. You have to wait to avoid a metalic-crunch disaster, but the left turner, unaware of the car from behind, GETS ANGRY WITH YOU! You all sit around like muppets.Scrap the rule!
johnpeg said on 2009-08-19 @ 01:22 NZDT: Report abusive post
I travel quite a lot, for pleasure now and drive on the right in some countries also. The relaxed simplicity of learning road regulations in these countries is soon forgotten when I return to NZ with this 'right hand rule'. "What a joke"! some supporters of the rule may think "he's a useless driver". I'm not an incompetent driver, at the age of 61 I've been a London bus driver, NZ truck, car & bike license ....Voila ..... (I'm on holiday in France - be nice to see it gone before my return). JP