I segnali stradali della Nuova Zelanda dovrebbero essere compresi dai visitatori

Limiti e numeri consultivi

Un segnale di velocità ad anello rosso stabilisce la velocità massima legale; un numero di avviso giallo indica una velocità in curva più sicura piuttosto che un nuovo limite. Le condizioni possono richiedere di viaggiare al di sotto di entrambi.

I segnali arancioni temporanei e i limiti portatili sono applicabili dove installati. Continuare ad obbedire fino alla fine della zona di lavoro.

Ponti a una corsia

Un segnale di precedenza bordato di rosso indica che il traffico proveniente dalla tua direzione deve cedere. Un segnale di priorità rettangolare blu dà la priorità alla tua direzione, ma solo quando il ponte è libero e sicuro per entrare.

Verificare la presenza di veicoli lunghi o pesanti già impegnati e non correre mai con un altro conducente all'ingresso.

Rischi ferroviari e rurali

Fermati o dai la precedenza ai controlli ferroviari come indicato, guarda in entrambe le direzioni e non fare mai la fila sui binari. I segnali di pericolo rurali identificano anche strade sterrate, scivolose, ghiacciate e tortuose.

Impara il materiale ufficiale sulla guida dei visitatori prima di ritirare un noleggio. I suggerimenti di navigazione non spiegano il significato di un'istruzione stradale.

Give Way rules at intersections

New Zealand's give way rules changed in 2012 and older overseas guidance is wrong. The current position is that at an uncontrolled intersection or when both vehicles face the same control, a turning vehicle gives way to a vehicle going straight through or turning left.

Roundabouts run clockwise and you give way to traffic on your right. Signal left as you leave, and take particular care on multi-lane roundabouts where lane markings determine which exit you may take.

One-lane bridge signage

One-lane bridges are common, particularly on the West Coast and in Northland. The sign shows two arrows: the larger black arrow indicates the direction with priority. If your arrow is the smaller red one, you give way to oncoming traffic.

Some bridges are shared with rail, and a few are long enough to include passing bays. Slow on approach, look right through the bridge before entering, and be willing to wait rather than racing to claim it.

Advisory speeds and hazard warnings

Yellow diamond signs are warnings rather than legal limits, and the yellow speed shown on a corner is an advisory maximum for a car in good conditions. In a loaded campervan, in rain, or towing, the safe speed is lower than the advisory figure.

Watch for the signs specific to New Zealand conditions: slippery when wet, loose metal, ford, stock crossing and the falling rocks warning used widely on the West Coast and through the passes.

Passing lanes and slow vehicle bays

Passing lanes are infrequent on New Zealand highways, and the courteous and expected behaviour if you are slower than the traffic behind is to use the slow vehicle bay or pull over where safe and let them pass. This is more than politeness; frustrated following drivers cause overtaking crashes.

Do not accelerate in a passing lane when someone is overtaking you. If five or more vehicles are queued behind you, you are legally required to pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.

Signs specific to New Zealand

LSZ marks a Limited Speed Zone on some rural roads, where the limit drops when conditions require it. A Ford sign means the road crosses a watercourse, which may be dry or impassable depending on recent rain.

Stock crossing and stock effluent signs indicate active farming use of the road. Slippery when wet appears widely on sealed rural roads where the chip seal becomes genuinely slick, and it is worth taking seriously in a heavy vehicle.

Blue and white signs mark tourist routes and services while brown signs indicate historic and cultural sites. Neither implies the road beyond is suitable for a large vehicle, so check that separately before turning off.

Roadworks and stop-go

Temporary works are frequent, particularly after winter damage, and a stop-go operator directing traffic has legal authority. Wait for the signal rather than following the vehicle in front through a closing gap.

Temporary limits apply whether or not work is visibly happening, including overnight and at weekends. The surface through works is often loose chip, which is genuinely slippery for a heavy vehicle.

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