AT A GLANCE

Little-known parts of the NZ Road Code that can result in fines:

Holding a package, person or animal in your lap or arms while driving.

Failing to drive as near as practicable to the left of the roadway.

Not following the advice of farmers using country roads to move stock between paddocks.

Failing to give way when entering a roundabout.

Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road can be a potential hazard such as daydreaming, eating food, talking to passengers, looking at things on the roadside and cleaning the inside of the windscreen.

Creating excessive noise within or on vehicle.

Top 5 rules experienced drivers fail (AA) Roundabouts: When going straight through, signal left for exit only once you’re past the centre line of the exit before yours. Always signal left to exit.

School zone speeds: 40kmh is the speed in school zones with posted signs when the lights are flashing or during the posted times. Remember when passing a school bus you must slow down to 20kmh.

Cycle lanes: Allow at least 1.5m between you and a cyclist. If the road is narrow you should wait for the road to widen before passing. Approaching an intersection: You must identify and enter the correct lane you need early, crossing where there is a broken line, before it becomes a solid line. Merging: Merge like a zip. Mirror and blind-spot check towards the other lane. Signalling when two lanes become one is discretional ( based on safety). When changing lanes to merge, you must signal.