Citation

Morgan RM. Aust. Road Res. 1988; 18(1): 11-20.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Australian Road Research Board ARRB)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The paper compares the two alternative rules of precedence for two opposing vehicles turning into the same side road. In New Zealand and Victoria the right-turner (turning to the offside) has precedence. New Zealand adopted this order of precedence in 1977 when a wide-ranging clarification of intersection rules was implemented. Intersection rules of precedence in Australia and New Zealand are explained in detail and the differences noted. Intersection accident experience in New Zealand is examined in relation to the rule changes and is compared with available Australian information. The relevance of on-street trams in Victoria and the operational effects of the two alternative rules are discussed. It is concluded that the changes in accident numbers in New Zealand since 1977 are due to the clarification of rules applying to many intersection conflicts and are not due to the choice of left turn v. right turn priorities. This experience is of limited relevance in Australia, where the benefits of giving the left-turner precedence far outweigh the disbenefits of marginally greater delays to vehicles.

Language: en