Road User Amendment Rule 2009


Introduction

Whether you drive, ride, cycle or walk in New Zealand, changes to the ‘Road User Rule’ will affect you from 1 November 2009.

The Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 is the legislation that sets out the requirements for the safe and efficient use of our roads. The Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009, signed by Transport Minister Steven Joyce in August, outlines 24, either new or updated, provisions to further improve safety and efficiency for road users.

The most high-profile change is a ban on the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving. One study has shown that using a mobile phone while driving can increase a driver’s risk of being involved in a crash by up to four times.

Although the Road User Rule allows the use of hands-free mobile phones, the NZTA recommends that drivers minimise the potential for distraction by switching phones off while driving, or pulling over to make or receive calls. From 1 November 2009 using a mobile phone to make, receive or end a call when driving will only be legal if:

  • the driver does not have to hold or manipulate the phone to do so (i.e. the phone is completely voice activated), or
  • the mobile phone is securely mounted to the vehicle and the driver manipulates the phone infrequently and briefly.

The Rule does not allow drivers to create, send, or read text messages under any circumstances.

There are a further 23 amendments to the Road User Rule which include:

  • riders of mopeds and motorcycles must switch their headlamps on during daylight hours, unless manufactured before 1 January 1980
  • when a driver has to cross a special vehicle lane to turn left or get to a parking space, they must now do so in the minimum length of the lane necessary but not more than 50 metres.

For further information about the other provisions please read the Q&As or the amendment Rule below.

The Road User Rule has been amended accordingly and, from 11 December 2009, mobile phone functions such as satellite navigation and music will be allowed, provided the phone is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and is manipulated and/or looked at only infrequently and briefly. However, we recommend that phones and satellite navigation systems should always be programmed while the vehicle is stationary, as doing so in a moving vehicle is a potential distraction. For further information on this change please read the Q&As or amendment Rule (No 2) below.

Questions and answers

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Amendment Rule

Last updated: 16 November 2009