Nova Scotia has recently joined several other Canadian Provinces in passing a law that makes it mandatory for all other road users to slow or if necessary stop - "to yield" - to allow buses to re-enter a main traffic flow lane from bus stops. The law applies only in areas where the speed limit is less than 60kmh , basically urban situations. A similar policy in New Zealand is called for by the NZ Green Party.
Nova Scotia's recent new law follows similar laws introduced during the last decade in other Province's of Canada, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and also in several states in USA. In Denver buses are being fitted with flashing Yield lights high on the rear of buses just to help motorists see exiting buses well in advance or above other traffic flow.
Similar laws have been in force in Holland for some decades but Canada has many smaller cities, more akin to Christchurch in size, and with similar lower density suburban sprawl and similar roading patterns, a better situation from which to measure and monitor effectiveness, as several studies appear to do.
It is a policy that would also seem necesary to increase the status of buses , a minimum requirement needed to move transit out of its poor cousin status of years gone by and to create reliable integrated multi-directional networks that can offer genuine alternative to car usage.
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