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brian.goulter
By brian.goulter | AA Member | 3 Posts | 10 July 2018 at 8:31am

I read recently that someone failed their driver's licence test because they changed lanes within 50m after an intersection. I don't have details as to whether this was after making a turn into a multilane road. I could not see anything in the road code regarding changing lanes in the 50m after an intersection. I know that I am fastidious about turning into the correct lane (closest lane to my entry point), but I frequently signal and change lanes once around the corner (well within 50m). Am I getting this wrong?
And a closely related question. The road code says "turn into the appropriate lane". Here in Christchurch there is a "tricky" intersection (Bealey Ave, Fitzgerald Ave, Whitmore St, and London St). Driving dead-straight from London St would take you into the wrong side of Bealey Ave, so you move left before entering Bealey Ave. My question is; which is the "appropriate" lane, the right (closest lane), or the left?

Anon
By Ian | AA Expert | 545 Posts | 12 July 2018 at 12:55pm

Intersection rules

There is no rule that forbids changing lanes within 50 m of an intersection. Any lane change should of course only be made after establishing that it is safe to do so, by mirror checks, a blind spot check and only after signalling for a minimum of three seconds.

I suspect that you may be getting confused with would be in relation to using a special vehicle lane, e.g. a bus lane, cycle lane or transit lane, which can only be used 50 metres prior to an intersection as long as priority is afforded to vehicles entitled to use the lane.

Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 – Clause 2.3 (4)(b)

To continue straight ahead from London Street into Bealey Avenue, only the left lane in London Street is marked with an arrow for straight ahead traffic. The right lane arrow indicates a right turn only.

Bealey Ave/London Street intersection in Christchurch

You should stay in the same lane throughout the negotiation of the intersection. In this case, entering in the left lane, the driver should remain in the left lane while passing through the intersection and enter the left lane in Bealey Avenue. This does require the driver to steer left and then right to follow the left lane while passing through the intersection in order to stay in the left lane. Looking at the satellite map on google this would mean staying to the left of the lane lines that are marked for traffic turning right onto Bealey Avenue from Whitmore Street.