Motor Vehicle Act Changes Become Law Oct. 1

Two changes to Nova Scotia's Motor Vehicle Act designed to improve traffic flow on the province's roads will become law on Saturday, Oct. 1.

The first change allows left turns at a red light from a one-way street to another one-way street. This change will make Nova Scotia's traffic laws consistent with most other provinces in Canada. Extra care should be taken at these intersections until drivers and pedestrians become accustomed to the new law.

Left turns on red lights at one-way street intersections will be the rule of the road. Signs will be posted at this type of intersection only if the left turn on a red light is not allowed.

The second change is to clarify the basic right-of-way rule at roundabouts. The new law states that vehicles entering a roundabout must yield to vehicles already in the circle unless signs or signals state otherwise.

This change will not affect traffic in the three existing rotaries in Nova Scotia in Armdale, Port Hastings, and Pictou. Each of those rotaries has signs and signals which take precedence over the new basic right-of-way rule.

The province is building its first modern roundabout at the Avonport interchange on Highway 101. It will open next year.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works' highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains 4,100 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from district offices in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.