227Using portable warning triangles

227 Using portable warning triangles

(1) This rule applies to a driver if the GVM of the driver's vehicle is over 12 tonnes.

Driver's vehicle is defined in the dictionary. GVM is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.

(2) If the driver stops on a road, or if some or all of any load being carried by the vehicle falls on
to a road, at a place where the speed-limit is 80 kilometres per hour or more and the vehicle is not visible at any time for at least 300 metres in all directions from that place, the driver must use at least 3 portable warning triangles, placed in accordance with subrule (4), to warn other road users of the vehicle or load.

1 Portable warning triangle is defined in the dictionary. Road user is defined in rule 14.

2 See rule 220 for the requirement to operate certain lights on vehicles that are stopped.

(3) If the driver stops on a road, or if some or all of any load being carried by the vehicle falls on to a road, at a place where the speed-limit is less than 80 kilometres per hour and the vehicle is not visible at any time for at least 200 metres in all directions from that place, the driver must use at least 3 portable warning triangles, placed in accordance with subrule (5), to warn other road users of the vehicle or load.

(4) For the purposes of subrule (2), the driver must—

(a) place one portable warning triangle at least 200 metres, but not over 250 metres, behind the vehicle or fallen load; and

(b) if the vehicle or fallen load is on a one‑way or divided road—place one portable warning triangle between the portable warning triangle required by paragraph (a) and the vehicle or fallen load; and

(c) if the vehicle or fallen load is not on a one‑way or divided road—place one portable warning triangle at least 200 metres, but not over 250 metres, in front of the vehicle or fallen load; and

(d) place one portable warning triangle at the side of the vehicle or fallen load in a position that gives sufficient warning to other road users of the position of the vehicle or fallen load.

One-way road is defined in the dictionary. Divided road is defined in subrule (7).

(5) For the purposes of subrule (3), the driver must—

(a) place one portable warning triangle at least 50 metres, but not over 150 metres, behind the vehicle or fallen load; and

(b) if the vehicle or fallen load is on a one‑way or divided road—place one portable warning triangle between the portable warning triangle required by paragraph (a) and the vehicle or fallen load; and