New Zealand has many visiting drivers who are accustomed to driving to the right of the centre-line in their own country. While they are required to drive on the left, they sometimes revert to their own country’s driving habits and travel on the incorrect side of the road; this often occurs when visiting drivers are entering the roadway. They may travel some distance before encountering another vehicle on their side of the road; if this occurs where visibility of oncoming traffic is limited, such as on bends and crests, it can result in serious and fatal crashes. Keep left reminders can also be useful for all drivers to inform them of changes in lane configuration and as reminders of the required direction of travel.
A primary reminder to keep left is arrows marked on the road surface. Keep left reminder arrows are a variation of ‘straight ahead’ lane arrows ordinarily used at intersections, which are used to remind drivers to travel in the correct lane (Figure 13‑1).
Keep left reminder arrows should be installed in locations where they cannot be confused with intersection lane arrows (left, through and right) which direct drivers to the correct turning lanes at intersections. Guidance on the use of intersection lane arrows can be found in TCD manual Part 4.
Figure 13‑1: Keep left reminder arrows marked at an intersection
