Are NZ drivers nutcases?

Ian Simpson · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 9:21 pm Post subject: Are NZ drivers nutcases?

Right, I'm wondering just how bad the driving in NZ is. The figures on the ENZ website seem to suggest fatalities are about the same as Canada and Australia and a lot better than the USA or Spain. At the same time, Kiwis seem to have a bit of a reputation for bad driving. Any thoughts from people who've been there?

gordster · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 15

Ian, very busy posting. I am a New Zealander who has been living in the UK for the last couple of years, so have a good idea about life in NZ.

Kiwi's bad drivers. Don't think so. One thing there is as NZ is a very mountainous country, roads tend to be narrow, and twisty. Apart from that though, roads are similar to those in the UK.

Auckland has bad traffic problems, and the main highway into Wellington can have problems at rush hours, but having listened to the traffic reports on the radio, I can assure you there is nothing like the congestion you experience here on NZ roads.

goldwheels · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:28 am Post subject:

Gordster
Why have you left your beautiful country? Uhoh

I cannot see why someone from New Zealand Razz

would want to be here Uhoh

. Don't mean to be personal!

Cheers Sean Nice One

gordster · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 15

Sean, you are right, I must of been hitting the crack pipe a bit hard that day. You sort of have to live somewhere else to apprieciate how good life is in NZ.

back there in 2 weeks time. Xmas on the beach with a BBQ, the way it should be!

Ian Simpson · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 8:43 pm Post subject:

I reckon gordster was here hoping to find the streets of London 'paved with gold' goldwheels. Except the rise of the NZ dollar has probably been as horrible for him/her as for us. I hope you sent a bit of cash home at better rates than today's gordster fingers crossed

.

goldwheels · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:39 pm Post subject:

Gregg H · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 8:07 am Post subject:

No not nutters. We found driving on the South Island easy. Some clowns in a hurry tailgate you on the main roads but you get that everywhere. There are'nt any motorways so people get annoyed if you dirve slowly in the main roads and hold them up. Off the state highway the roads are empty and great.

Cheers
Gregg H.

dan-ish · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 8:21 am Post subject: Drivin'

Well, having lived in NZ for a while, I found the drivers to be a little bit more manic than England.

Having said that, if you have driven anywhere on the continent, you will find NZ driving a breeze.

Oh, and be careful with the crazy 'give way to people turning right if you are turning left' rule, as it can be a bit dangerous. Good luck.

John Miller · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: Drivin'

ruthj · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 7:51 pm Post subject:

Hi
Also, I seem to remember from when I lived in NZ for a short while - if you are turning left and someone coming in opposite direction wants to turn right then they have right of way. I came a cropper to that a couple of times Embarassed

!!

Also, remeber to keep you driving licence with you at all times.

Ruth

John Miller · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 2:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Ruth, I've noticed a lot of people on the Shore seem to drive using the British give-way rule Uhoh

.

What seems crazy is that NZ used to have the British rule, then changed it to the current hopeless setup, and now after god knows how many years the politicians have decided the current shambles causes too many accidents and they're going to change it back to the British way again Rolling Eyes

.

Timbo · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 4:36 am Post subject: nutters??

I found when driving on the Coromandel recently that the biggest hazard was not Kiwi drivers, but simply the jaw dropping scenes aroung every bend Very difficult not to get distracted. This is in no way meant to sound critical. Quite the oposite

xanctus · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: nutters??

I believe Indonesia is the worst place for driving. I have a friend from Indonesia who lives in NZ right now told me that driving in NZ is quite organized...correct me if I'm mistaken

karltsmith · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 3:52 pm Post subject:

IN A WORD.......YES they are mostly nutcases! Or rather have a problem judging speed, following distances (measureable in millimeters sometimes), indicating, manouvering, giving way, using mirrors or pulling out with gay abandon and then puddling along at 20 kms....BUT APART FROM THAT THEY ARE GREAT!!!!

Interestingly I believe NZ has more panelbeaters per capita that any other westernised nation!!!!!! FUNNY THAT Nutcase

martwend · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 8:05 pm Post subject:

I agree with the last post....NZ drivers, usually young men ...are really fast and aggressive. They love to race and the expressway can be scary. How to deal with it?.....slow down and give a friendly wave!.....they are just not used to it.

Wendy Mr. Green