Oh yes.

This has made my day.

Finally, sense might prevail with New Zealand’s insane right-hand-turn rule.

Right-hand rule not the right rule

The notorious right hand rule should be consigned to the dustbin as a bad idea and if Australia can do it, so can we, says the Automobile Association.

New Zealand is the only country in the world with the right hand rule – if cars are turning they give way to all traffic not turning, and in all other situations, give way to traffic crossing or approaching from the right.

And just as I’ve said before:

Mr Noon said the rule was confusing for the more than 1 million tourists that visited New Zealand each year and New Zealanders travelling all over the planet.

The rule was responsible for a lot of side impact accidents, where the driver was not well protected.

One newspaper survey showed 20 percent of drivers did not observe it, he said.

“In most cases he who is bravest goes first and gets across.”, said Stephen Joyce

Absolutely true. I’ve found this to be even more the case since purchasing a vehicle with a bull-bar. Now I always have right of way.

Transport Minister Stephen Joyce, what a man. A man of reason, insight, common sense, and logic.

The status-quo is utter, complete chaos, and must be ended.

If anyone still need convincing, see my scientific explanation from a while back.

Well done to the AA (equivalent to RACV etc, not the alcoholics’ group) and Stephen Joyce.

Follow Fush ‘n’ Chups on Twitter.

I’ve been having a soul-search over the last few days.

Some of what I’ve previously written seems to have upset a few. Not as many as those who have enjoyed it, but still, it keeps me awake at night for a couple of extra minutes.

So, I’ve decided to make it up. I’m going to try to use this blog to bring a positive change to New Zealand.

In fact, I’m going to solve the biggest problem facing NZ today.

You might be thinking the credit crunch, crime, poverty, homelessness, or global warming.

But you’d be wrong. These are the boring generic problems found everywhere. The Chatham Islands might disagree on that last point, but still.

Maybe you’re thinking of something closer to home: leaky houses, low wages, John Key’s vacant grin, Jesse Ryder’s BMI, or John Henry’s rotation policy

But no, I’m talking about the abomination that is the New Zealand right-hand-turn rule.

This piece of ludicrous legislation has been a constant source of annoyance and danger every single day of my life since moving here.

Now, I know I’ve previously been a tad critical of the relative abilities of drivers in NZ. However in this case it’s really not them that’s at fault, but rather the idiot lawmakers that have imposed this stupidity. It doesn’t help of course that 42% of NZ drivers cannot use roundabouts, but in this case, they shouldn’t be the main target of the blame.

I’m absolutely certain that this is an issue that every motorist can agree on, whether you’re a born-and-bred Kiwi, or a half-wit Australian blogger.

For the uninitiated, let me explain. Consider the following intersection:

Now, a quick quiz:

In what order should the cars proceed in their desired direction?

A) Blue, yellow, red

B) Red, blue, yellow

Got your answer? Good.

The correct response, if you’re driving in NZ, would be  *drumroll* B.

I know: ridiculous, ay bro?

Still not clear? Let me show you just why this is nuts.

This is what can, and does, happen. True story.

To further understand why the laws are wrong, let’s get inside the minds of the drivers in each car.

Blue car – “Righty-oh then, I’d better give way to the red chap. Unless of course the yellow fellow behind me is planning on slipping past my rear, in which case I could in fact turn left.”

Red car – “Shut bro, I’ve got the right of way here, but I dunno what this dude in the yellow Mutsubushi is planning to do.”

Yellow car – “If this little prick in front just nudges ahead three more inches I’m gonna floor it and screw anyone who gets in the way.”

See the issue? nobody knows what the hell is going on.

And what follows is a game of chicken. It’s the scene out of Dirty Harry: just who is feeling lucky, punk? Honestly, when the light turn green at an intersection in NZ, there is a full second pause when everyone is just too scared to move a muscle.

Still need convincing? Let’s weight up the pros and cons of this debacle:

Pros: Absolutely nought.

Cons: Ambiguous, illogical, dangerous.

The better way for the vehicles to proceed is of course blue, yellow, red.The right-turner gives way to all traffic coming in the other direction. Clear and easy. The left-turner has the right of way, and thus there is no need for the car behind to slip around the side, as she only has to wait a second before they can go.

Once again, the pros and cons:

Pros: Unambiguous, logical, safe, and it works.

Cons: Occasionally it sucks to be the one turning right. Solution: have a separate “right-turn” light at the busier intersections. Solved.

Now I’m not suggesting that this way is better simply because it the sane Australian way. It’s just plain better, full stop. I’ve proven it. Semi-scientifically. With diagrams and everything.

What I’d like to know from you guys is, are there any redeeming features of the NZ way that I’m missing? Is there anything at all to be said for the status-quo? I sure as shit can’t see it.

As I posted previously, we went to Rotura over the last weekend.

A quick summary of the drive there and back:

Time: just under 4 hours each way, including a leisurely lunch in Taupo.

Distance: approx 240 km, one way.

Conditions: Fine and dry.

Number of times overtaken by a a fellow motorist who couldn’t handle me only doing the speed limit: about 30.

Number of times this happened when approaching a blind corner or crest: at least 10.

Number of times this happened when the overtaker was heading in my direction and I momentarily feared for my life: twice.

Also found out today that NZ law makes it possible for kids aged only fifteen-and-a-half to obtain a restricted drivers’ license and therefore drive unacompanied by an adult.

Buckle up people.

When you arrive in New Zealand, chances are you might hire a car. Chances are also that you may die due to the batshit crazy haphazard way many Kiwis drive.

To be fair, in the larger centres such as Wellington and Auckland, the drivers are pretty much the same as in any large city: in a hurry, aggressive, but they know what they’re doing.

However, get out into the regional areas, and it pays to drive as though every other car on the road is driven by either Mad Max or some hayseed farmer who’s on their monthly visit into town.

The date of a ute protruding from someones lounge-room in Christchurch.

Basically, they are unpredictable. Not even they know what they’re going to do next. To say they possible don’t consider other cars on the road would be an understatement.

Therefore, this blog is going to be covering some of the more insane instances of inept driving encountered by the author, so that all you newcomers to the country can be forewarned, and hire the car with the greatest number of airbags possible.

And for god’s sake take out the insurance option. Trust me.