A. When the other car has stopped
Select language
A. When the other car has stopped
B. When the other car is indicating right
C. When the other car is indicating left
You must not pass a vehicle on the left at an intersection if the vehicle is indicating to the left.
Some vehicles have to pull out to the right to turn left, whether at an intersection, driveway or mini roundabout, for example, large trucks and buses. Pay attention to the vehicle's indicators. Just because it moves out to the right doesn't mean it is turning right.
If you start to overtake the vehicle on the left and it turns in front of you, you are at risk of running into it.
This is particularly important for motorcyclists who can squeeze through smaller gaps, but they are at greater risk of falling under a vehicle's wheels in the event of an accident.
The same can happen for right turns. A long vehicle might stay left to be able to make a right-hand turn into a driveway or narrow intersection, or at a mini roundabout.
Drivers are trained to look at their blind spots when making the final turn, but if you are on a cycle or motorbike you might not be visible as large vehicles have large blind spots.
The reason is to do with the circumference of the turn: the vehicle's front wheels will trace a wider arc than the rear wheels. The rear wheels follow a narrower arc (one with a smaller circumference) so if the vehicle doesn't pull out wider it risks the rear wheels running over the kerb or hitting road furniture or other vehicles. The amount of space needed to turn is called the turning radius, and the greater the wheelbase and the less the angle of steering, the wider the turning circle. The same will apply for cars and motorbikes towing trailers.
Note that if you are a cyclist in a dedicated cycle lane that is on the left of the vehicle lane, then you have the right of way; vehicles crossing your lane should give way to you. However, you must be aware of a vehicle's blind spots, particularly long vehicles like buses and trucks that may not see a cyclist approaching at speed. One example where this dangerous scenario can readily occur is Franklin Road in Ponsonby, Auckland, where a long, steep downhill stretch of cycle lane enables cyclists to develop a lot of speed. Cars can turn left into Scotland Street and Middle Street.