Traffic Lights Roundabouts

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide

If you are from another country, it is very
important that you take a little time to At traffic lights the following applies: Signal at a roundabout if you wish to turn, give way
> Red means stop. to traffic on the right, and turn left into roundabout.
learn the local road rules and regulations You may not turn on the red as some countries permit. Signal as you pass the exit before the one you wish
– for your own and others’ safety. To help >Yellow means stop if you can safely bring your vehicle to take.

you do this, here is the most important

to a halt.
> Green means go if it is safe to do so. Parking Restrictions
information from the Road Code. > RED ARROW – means stop and do not turn. > Parking is not permitted where the road is marked by a
> YELLOW ARROW – means stop if you can safely. broken yellow line.
> GREEN ARROW – means you can turn if it is safe. > Parking is not permitted within 6 metres of an intersection or

New
You must signal for at least 3 seconds before turning. pedestrian crossing.
> Parking facing oncoming traffic is not permitted.
Railway Crossing > You may not stop, stand or park in the area

Zealand
New Zealand has a significant number of rail indicated by No Stopping signs.
crossings. You must give way to all rail traffic at all
keep left times. Some crossings are provided with bells, lights
or barrier arms. You must stop as soon as these
In New Zealand, traffic

Road
devices begin to operate. At other crossings stop > You may not stop, stand or park in the area indicated
signs may be used. You must stop and not proceed
travels on the left-hand until you are sure there are no trains coming from
by the sign in the time period stated. You may park in
the area outside of the specified times.
side of the road. either direction. Proceed only when certain you can

Rules
complete the crossing safely. At all other crossings
If your speed is impeding following traffic you must allow them to you are required to slow and make certain that there > You may park for up to 30 minutes in the location
pass as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so. A good rule of are no trains approaching from either direction. indicated by the sign in the time period stated. You may
thumb is to not let more than four cars build up behind you. Pull Proceed only when certain you can complete the
park for an unlimited period outside the specified time.
to the left when there is sufficient width to allow the vehicle to crossing safely.
safely pass you. At slow vehicle bays and passing lanes you must
Need to Know use the left lane and allow traffic to pass you. Failure to do so can One-Way Bridges Pedestrian Crossings
DRIVING LICENCES incur a $150 fine.
> The circular sign with the red arrow means you must give > When approaching a pedestrian crossing slow
> You must have a current valid licence or international drivers way to oncoming traffic. The large black arrow reinforces down and be prepared to stop.
permit, in English or with an accurate translation.
> Minimum age for rental car hiring is generally 21 years.
Speed Limits that oncoming traffic have right of way. > Do not overtake anyone near a crossing and
give way to any pedestrians on both sides of
AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION Whatever speed you travel, always leave enough room between
> The rectangular sign with the large arrow in your direction the pedestrian crossing.
> The AA provides a road map and breakdown service. you and the vehicle ahead, so you can stop in half the length of
shows you have the right of way. However if a vehicle is
Crashes
> Free reciprocal membership privileges are offered to members of clear road you can see in front of you, to avoid collision if you have
on the bridge or cannot reasonably stop entering onto the
equivalent overseas organisations. to stop suddenly.
> New Zealand speed limits are in kilometres per hour not miles. bridge, you must give way.
HIGHWAYS > If you are involved in a crash or encounter a crash you must stop and
> Built-up areas normally have a 50km/h speed limit
> New Zealand highways are mainly of a high
standard but are not divided; most main
although lower signed limits can apply. 50 Road Signs help and call the police if someone is hurt.
> Obtain the vehicle registration numbers, names and addresses of
> “OPEN ROAD” speed limits apply:
highways are sealed and offer no difficulty for > Cars, vans, motorcycles 100km/h > You must stop completely, then give way to all traffic. involved parties and their insurance companies. Do not discuss
motorists from other countries. Those routes > Heavy motor vehicles 90km/h There are one or two yellow lines on the road showing blame or liability with other parties.
not sealed are generally well graded and maintained. > Vehicle towing trailer or caravan 90km/h you where to stop. > You are required to report the detail of the crash to your insurance
> All distances are shown in metres or kilometres. > Slow down, be ready to stop and give way to traffic not company within 24 hours and complete an accident report. Rental
emergency phone numbers Motorways controlled by Stop or Give Way signs. There are one or companies also require you report details of the crash to them.
> New Zealand’s emergency phone number is 111 two white lines signalling the stopping point. > If no one is hurt, you must give your name and address to the
Keep left unless overtaking and always indicate at least three seconds
or *555 from a cellphone (not all areas have cellphone coverage). property owner, or the police if the owner cannot be found.
before changing lanes.
For road conditions, AA Members can phone 0800 500 543 or
On a motorway you must not:
*223 from mobile; non-members 0900 33 222 or alternatively for
> walk or cycle
state highways phone 0800 4 HIGHWAY (0800 44 44 49).
> stop your vehicle
impaired driving
> Drugs or medication which impairs your driving are not permitted.
> make a U turn Intersections
> There is a zero alcohol limit for drivers under 20 years of age; Overtaking Look in all directions and slow down so you can stop if required.
drivers aged 20 or more are recommended to consume no more > You may overtake to the right of a slow moving vehicle if safe to Obey any traffic lights or road signs and any directions shown by
than two standard drinks before driving. do so and you have 100m clear visibility throughout the entire words or arrows on the road.
> You must not drive if fatigue or poor health impairs your driving. manoeuvre. Always turn your indicator on at least 3 seconds before
If traffic lights or road signs do not determine which vehicle has the
SEAT BELTS you start to overtake.
right of way, use the following rules:
> All modern cars and campervans are fitted with seat belts for all You may not overtake:
occupants. In New Zealand it is compulsory to wear them. Failing > If you are turning, give way to vehicles going straight.
> At a no-overtaking line marked by a yellow
to do this can incur a $150 fine. line on your side of the centreline. > When turning right, give way to vehicles coming towards you
CELLPHONES > Approaching a pedestrian crossing, a railway turning left.
> Drivers must not use a hand-held mobile phone, unless the device crossing or an intersection. > At a T intersection (and all driveways), traffic on the side road
is completely hands-free or mounted securely to the vehicle and > On white lines marked on any curve, crest of gives way to traffic continuing along the main road.
touched infrequently and briefly. Writing, reading or sending text a hill where you cannot see more than 100m > In all other situations, give way to vehicles coming from your
messages while driving is illegal. Offences incur a fine of $80 and throughout the entire manoeuvre and cannot right.
20 demerit points. conduct the whole movement safely.

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