Yesterday, at 5am in the morning, New Zealand made it’s most significant road rule change in over thirty years. The government even spent $1.2 million dollars (U.S.$981,191) informing Kiwis about the new rule with internet, TV advertising and pamphlets. So what is the new rule and what do tourists need to know?

Firstly, the new rule was bought about to bring us inline with how most other countries around the world operate with regard to giving way. That means that the news rules should be more intuitive (though you should have a thorough understanding of New Zealand road rules prior to driving). NZTA figures show there are more than 16,000 crashes at intersections each year, which equates to over 300 a week, or 45 a day. Many tourists have mentioned that there is quite a bit of confusion around the giving way to the right rule, so the rule has now been changed.

There’s a couple of areas of the rule you need to know.

The left-turn versus right-turn give way rule has changed

Check out the video and photos below!

The give way rule for uncontrolled T-intersections has changed

Check out these examples below!