It is forbidden to overtake on the right !?

[Ixion]

(Uh , btw, Hi Everyone )

So, this morning I'm pottering down the Southern Muddleway. Right hand lane doing about 90k. Up ahead, next lane to the left, a people mover thing doing about 80k. He seems rather erratic so I'm not really surprised when he tries to move into my lane just as I'm overtaking him .

I was watching him, no look in the mirror, no head turn, just swung over, then indicated. Uh, this place is taken mate.

No big drama, I was sort of expecting it, just move right, throw out an anchor, and blast him with my horns (**EXTREMELY** loud). He gives a startled jump and swings back.

But I was pissed that he didn't even bother to look so I flag him to pull over and stop and go back to give him a few choice words.

He opens the window after a bit of rapping- can't speak a word of English (not Asian, some sort of European). But a guy in back can speak English so he interprets.

I give him a tongue lashing, he's very apologetic ---- BUT (get this) he insists that it is forbidden to overtake on the right - so I was actually in the wrong ! None of them can seem to make the connection that drive on the left means overtake on the right! Tried explaining for a bit , but gave up because I wasn't getting anywhere, so I left him wih a few parting words about following OUR rules.

And then when I looked back in the mirror I saw him pull out straight into the traffic stream without any indication . Lucky the guy coming down on him had good brakes. When I saw that I wished I'd confiscated his keys. I just hope he doesn't kill someone before he goes home.

But seriously, what is it with us allowing people who have never driven on the correct side of the road to come here, jump in a car at the airport and just take off.

(Nah, I'd didn't smash his headlamps - he was more stupid than vicious. I reserve that for real pricks)

Btw - Hi again folks - thanks for the venting opportunity.

[sAsLEX]

welcome to the site, a great place to vent without harming your criminal record!

[Holy Roller]

But seriously, what is it with us allowing people who have never driven on the correct side of the road to come here, jump in a car at the airport and just take off.
.
Welcome aboard
I think you answered your own question. The number of tourists that have taken off on the wrong side of the road to end in tradegty. Riding up 27 one night to find a couple of headlights bearing down on me on my side of the road, flashing my lights wildly and slowing down before the campervan veered back onto their side of the road :angry2:

[onearmedbandit]

If we make it too hard for tourists to drive over here, we might scare them away [please note sarcasim]. What's a few Kiwi deaths when tourists bring in millions of $$ every year. [please note more sarcasim]

[Coyote]

Wilkommen to the site :niceone:

Sounds like you handled everything fairly well, you would've been in the wrong if you had smashed his headlights in or taken his keys

[Ixion]

Just tell them to hand them over, and tell them they can collect them at the nearest police station, "once you're fit to drive "

Then take them to the nearest cop shop and leave them with the watch officer. Tell him the owner will be in to collect them "once he's sobered up"

No intent to permanently deprive, so not theft. Actually no offense at all. And since I'd only do it when the "victim" was very much in the wrong, they're in no position to complain. He may have some explaining to do though when he collects the keys. So much the better

Haven't actually smashed any headlights since my Triumph days - been tempted a few times but it's not so easy now I don't carry a massive chain around my shoulders ("Oh I quite understand how you didn't see me mate. It's so easy not to see things. Oops, just like I didn't see your headlamp just now as I was idly swinging my security chain. Just didn't see it mate")

[zeRax]

omg :\
i have alot of foreign friends and yes, i have been in the car with some of them when theyve turned a corner and turned onto the right hand side of the road and continued driving till i prompty stop laughing and tell them to get on the otherside of the road :\ evidently - they did end up having a crash and writing off a car while they were here

and yea its even worse seeing someone turn into you on your lane without them even looking across, its like "o_o......"

[Skyryder]

Suddenly when things go wrong their Englsih stops. :angry2: Seen this time and time again. Good enough to hire a car.

Skyryder

[T.I.E]

If we make it too hard for tourists to drive over here, we might scare them away [please note sarcasim]. What's a few Kiwi deaths when tourists bring in millions of $$ every year. [please note more sarcasim]

i was told that every road death costs the tax payer about 1 million dollars to clean up paper work cleaning etc. this from a Saint Johns Academy Driving Instructor with many years experiecnce. so is it really viable to have tourists coming over and having a field day killing people?

asian people sorry im getting more and more racsist every day. espically with their driving habits.

i avoid so many near misses and nothing happens. if i get hit then they get a slap on the hand and their relatives pay some sorry money to someone and they go home. if we killed someone over there we would probably get locked up in their prisons.

really sick of it.

what happens when i die and get hit by a stupid forgein person, oh sorry?

[T.I.E]

speed does it really kill? or is it just bad driving?

[Coyote]

asian people sorry im getting more and more racsist every day. espically with their driving habits.

They can make good cars, bikes, ships, vending machines, etc. but whenever theres a irractic driver, it always seems to be an asian. Why is that? Are they mentally unable to control a vehicle?

[Wolf]

...if i get hit then they get a slap on the hand and their relatives pay some sorry money to someone and they go home.
That's called "remorse" - we poor beople without mega-rich parents are a remorseless bunch...

At least we now know how much the life of a four-year-old is worth...

Seriously:
I hate the International Driver's Licence. I found out from a co-worker that all you have to do is have a full licence and pay money to get an international licence - no tests, not even written/oral theory - then you're free to make stupid farking assumptions on other countriies' roads.

Small wonder the tourists that come here cause so many accidents. OK, for the most part they probably do quite well - until they lose concentration or get into trouble and their own country's road rules and driving practices reassert themselves.

I would not want to drive/ride in another country until I had passed their driving test.

Oh, yeah (end rant) Hi Ixion, welcome to the madhouse.

[Waylander]

It's not that bloody hard to remember wich side of the road to drive on. Shit I was driving the day I arrived no lessons or anything and never once came close to having a wreck. I have only read the motorcycle road code and my driving is fine here, most of the rules are just common sense and if peaplethink for the slightest bit of time they can figure it out.


However I do find myself walking to the wrong side of the car to drive every now and then.:confused:

[Rainbow Wizard]

speed does it really kill? or is it just bad driving?
It's the stop at the end. I'm with the fast but safe brigade, unfortunatley there exists several other brigades, all in the unsafe mode: Foreigners, teenagers, doddery old gits, those with no awareness of the road ahead or behind, those devoid of attentiveness, and cops!

[saiko]

At least we now know how much the life of a four-year-old is worth...
Damn right, my daughters friend was killed by an assholde Asian student, just in to the country, with a flash car, speeding away from the cops. Mummy & Daddy offered some $ to make it all better...

A 7.62mm round would have given more satisfaction...

[Wolf]

A 7.62mm round would have given more satisfaction...
5.56mm - pissy round that's less likely to kill outright, so you'll just have to shoot 'em a few more times...

[NordieBoy]

It's St John. But point taken.



The St John spelling police

Gets up my nose too.

The St John spelling police enforcement division

[vifferman]

Haven't actually smashed any headlights since my Triumph days - been tempted a few times but it's not so easy now I don't carry a massive chain around my shoulders ("Oh I quite understand how you didn't see me mate. It's so easy not to see things. Oops, just like I didn't see your headlamp just now as I was idly swinging my security chain. Just didn't see it mate")
You sound like a guy I used to work with - he rode a Triumph and smashed some old guy's headlights with his chain because he U-turned in front of him.

Is this part of a Triumph ownership thing?

[bear]

What about a pre-requisite to have good command of the english language?
Are these people driving on an international licence, maybe a brief exam on entering the country and a small reminder notice to place on the windscreen somewhere to remind then what side of the street to drive on.

[Wolf]

What about a pre-requisite to have good command of the english language?
Are these people driving on an international licence, maybe a brief exam on entering the country and a small reminder notice to place on the windscreen somewhere to remind then what side of the street to drive on.
Saw a couple of rental bikes when I last visited Rotovegas and they actually had bright fluoro markers on them to point at the side of the road you should be on and warning labels to boot - I think they were multilingual, too.

Never seen anything like that in any rental cage - kinda surprising they'd put warning labels for someone as intelligent as a biker and not have bigger, clearer, simpler ones for cagers.

[outlawtorn]

Maybe the government should make everyone who comes into the country re-take their driving test. Currently it's only a theory test and off you go, I've still got to do mine sometime to convert my SA driving license to a NZ one.

But I reckon it would be good revenue generation for the country and would make sure that everyone who has a license has passed a test.

And the test should be done in a manual car.........he he he

[vifferman]

What about a pre-requisite to have good command of the english language?
Are these people driving on an international licence, maybe a brief exam on entering the country and a small reminder notice to place on the windscreen somewhere to remind then what side of the street to drive on.
Apart from "Keep Left" and left-pointing arrow stickers in the rental vehicles, there are now also big white direction arrows painted on many roads near tourist spots, as an aide memoire to foreign drivers immediately after they stop somewhere to do the touristy thing.

[Ixion]

What about a pre-requisite to have good command of the english language?
Are these people driving on an international licence, maybe a brief exam on entering the country and a small reminder notice to place on the windscreen somewhere to remind then what side of the street to drive on.

He was clear enough about driving on the left, but still thought that on a multilane road the right lane was the slow lane and the left lane(s) were for overtaking. So he was driving in the right hand lane and every time he came up to someone slower he'd dive over to the left of them overtake and dive back to the far right. It was on one of his "return to base" dives that he nearly collected me. He thought that I was undertaking him (in the far right lane!). I just couldn't explain it to him. It was actually quite weird.

[Ixion]

You sound like a guy I used to work with - he rode a Triumph and smashed some old guy's headlights with his chain because he U-turned in front of him.

Is this part of a Triumph ownership thing?

:innocent: No, I knew Beeza and Matchy guys who did the same.
Some cagers, then as now, have an attitude that "Who cares, it's only a bike, out I go".

Back then (big) bikers were more ballsey than now. So we made a point of getting the message through to cagers that dissed bikes (deliberately doing Very Bad Things) that bikes were something that they wanted to watch out for.

Most of the "didn't see you" is cr*p. They actually see, their minds say, "Bike, no danger, who cares", and the bike doesn't register.

We made them think "Oh oh bike, danger, take notice".

Bet the guy who had his headlight busted didn't have any more SDSY moments.

[vifferman]

Most of the "didn't see you" is cr*p. They actually see, their minds say, "Bike, no danger, who cares", and the bike doesn't register.

We made them think "Oh oh bike, danger, take notice".
Not just drivers, either.
A pedestrian crossing the road this morning forced me to stop in the corner - saw me coming around the corner, and could have stopped in the middle of the road and waited, but just looked at me and carried on walking. :angry2:
I was very tempted to park the bike, run after her and tell her what happened to the last pedestrian that walked in front of me: leg busted in two places, and a week's holiday in hospital.

[bear]

Maybe the government should make everyone who comes into the country re-take their driving test. Currently it's only a theory test and off you go, I've still got to do mine sometime to convert my SA driving license to a NZ one.

But I reckon it would be good revenue generation for the country and would make sure that everyone who has a license has passed a test.

And the test should be done in a manual car.........he he he

Probably a reciprocal agreement type thing with other countries, wonder what impact this would have with NZ drivers going to other countries and driving?

[Lou Girardin]

Just tell them to hand them over, and tell them they can collect them at the nearest police station, "once you're fit to drive "

Then take them to the nearest cop shop and leave them with the watch officer. Tell him the owner will be in to collect them "once he's sobered up"

No intent to permanently deprive, so not theft. Actually no offense at all. And since I'd only do it when the "victim" was very much in the wrong, they're in no position to complain. He may have some explaining to do though when he collects the keys. So much the better

Haven't actually smashed any headlights since my Triumph days - been tempted a few times but it's not so easy now I don't carry a massive chain around my shoulders ("Oh I quite understand how you didn't see me mate. It's so easy not to see things. Oops, just like I didn't see your headlamp just now as I was idly swinging my security chain. Just didn't see it mate")


Actually there probably would be a couple of offences committed there. And, yes, you probably would be charged. The official line is 'better no justice than vigilante justice'.
As far as restrictions on tourists driving here, just remember that we'd be subject to the same restrictions when driving O'seas. I'd be a little pissed off if I had to pass a language test if I wanted to drive in Europe, or even the US. I'd have to learn to talk like George Dubya. Damn. Or is it Dayum?

[Lou Girardin]

He was clear enough about driving on the left, but still thought that on a multilane road the right lane was the slow lane and the left lane(s) were for overtaking. So he was driving in the right hand lane and every time he came up to someone slower he'd dive over to the left of them overtake and dive back to the far right. It was on one of his "return to base" dives that he nearly collected me. He thought that I was undertaking him (in the far right lane!). I just couldn't explain it to him. It was actually quite weird.

The left lane is the 'fast' lane on Auck motorways. No-one uses it, you can go the length of the Takanini straight on some days and have it to yourself.

[Ixion]

Actually there probably would be a couple of offences committed there. And, yes, you probably would be charged. The official line is 'better no justice than vigilante justice'.

Collared a guys keys, handed them in, watch officer said "Thanks - good deed". Admittedly I did know in that instance that the guy was tanked.

I can see the public outcry now if the police tried a charge in that sort of case " Man charged with preventing drunk driver from killing people !!" .

(Actually I think that I've read this as official police advice - don't let your mates drink and drive, take their keys)

And if someone is doing something abysmally bad, I will assume that they are either drunk or under the influence of something else.

Nought to do with vigilante justice , just doing my public duty. (The smashed headlamps would be vigilante justice - but MY line is Fiat justicia , ruat coelum)

[Wolf]

Actually there probably would be a couple of offences committed there. And, yes, you probably would be charged. The official line is 'better no justice than vigilante justice'.
Just takin' the strain off'n the over-burdened police force, your honour.

[Wolf]

MY line is Fiat justicia , ruat coelum)
"He who drives a Fiat is just"?

[Ixion]

"He who drives a Fiat is just"?
lit: Let justice be done, (though) the heavens should fall
fr: Mess with bikers and the sky's gonna come down on you

Like I said, bikers were ballsier back then. :whistle:

[Wolf]

lit: Let justice be done, (though) the heavens should fall
fr: Mess with bikers and the sky's gonna come down on you

Like I said, bikers were ballsier back then. :whistle:
I always reckonned the one bit of German Technology missing from my old Zundapp was the MG34 (Maschinengewehr Mod. 34) - that'd have discouraged repeat offending...

[Ixion]

I always reckonned the one bit of German Technology missing from my old Zundapp was the MG34 (Maschinengewehr Mod. 34) - that'd have discouraged repeat offending...

Hm . BMW used to have a sidecar mount machine gun for the Wehrmacht boxer models. Hm. Wonder if it would fit a K Series ? Hm . Not that I'm thinking anything you understand :whistle:

[Wolf]

Hm . BMW used to have a sidecar mount machine gun for the Wehrmacht boxer models. Hm. Wonder if it would fit a K Series ? Hm . Not that I'm thinking anything you understand :whistle:
The old R75 with side car - definitely want one. Only 90km/h top speed but if you "forget" to dismount the machinegun, who's gonna complain about what speed you're doing...

It was the self same R75 that made me fall in love with Beemer boxer twins (NO, I'm not quite that old, I was given a 1:24 scal model (which my mum eventually broke - along with the HMS Victory and a balsa-and-doped-tissue rubber-band powered plane and ... face it, parents have no respect for the hours it takes to put these things together)

Anyways, ever since that kitset I really wanted a BMW boxer twin. Ever since I rode an R100 I've really really wanted a BMW boxer twin. Sidecar with MG optional.

[Lou Girardin]

I can see the public outcry now if the police tried a charge in that sort of case " Man charged with preventing drunk driver from killing people !!" .


Something similar happened in ChCh recently. A concerned citizen apprehended a car thief who had just stolen a womans car. His vigourous citizens arrest resulted in the Police charging him with assault. He didn't do any serious damage to the dirt bag either (shame that).
And I had a call from a Policeperson because I suggested in the strongest possible terms to a cage driver that he should not try and force me into the kerb merely because he can't filter in his car. When I suggested that she charge me she declined.
It sure makes you think twice though.

[Ixion]

...
And I had a call from a Policeperson because I suggested in the strongest possible terms to a cage driver that he should not try and force me into the kerb merely because he can't filter in his car. When I suggested that she charge me she declined.
It sure makes you think twice though.

I have on several occasions (not all road related) told the Police to charge me, because " I want this case to go to court, so that it will get lots of publicity". So far they never have.

Did you , in turn, ask the police to charge the cager with the several offenses he committed ? :ar15: :ar15:

[spudchucka]

Something similar happened in ChCh recently. A concerned citizen apprehended a car thief who had just stolen a womans car. His vigourous citizens arrest resulted in the Police charging him with assault.
Can you post a link please. I'd like to have a read of that story.

[Lou Girardin]

I have on several occasions (not all road related) told the Police to charge me, because " I want this case to go to court, so that it will get lots of publicity". So far they never have.

Did you , in turn, ask the police to charge the cager with the several offenses he committed ? :ar15: :ar15:

She didn't want to do that either.

[Lou Girardin]

Can you post a link please. I'd like to have a read of that story.

It was a couple of months before Xmas, made TV news etc. Can't find a link yet.

[Marmoot]

But seriously, what is it with us allowing people who have never driven on the correct side of the road to come here, jump in a car at the airport and just take off.

I guess it is the same reasoning that allows NZer to drive in Germany :spudwhat:

[Wolf]

I guess it is the same reasoning that allows NZer to drive in Germany :spudwhat:
Frankly, I don't think I should have the right to drive/ride in Germany.

I do not think that having held a full motorcycle licence for around 22 years and paying a fee to some gummint revenue collector in any way shape or form qualifies me to ride a motorcycle on the right hand side of a German Autobahn or attempt to negotiate crowded German streets with a different set of road rules.

I feel that if I were to go to another country, I should be tested as to my knowledge of their road rules at the very least - sure I know how to ride a bike, but I know squat about who gives way to whom in Germany. Possibly should have to get a "learner's licence" when arriving in another country.

I'd happily study for and sit a test to ride in a foreign country. And go out for a practical test with a duly authorised testing agent of that country to determine whether or not I have sufficient knowledge of their road rules to drive safely.

I think everyone who comes here should go through the same.

Nothing personal to any "new New Zealanders" or tourists on this site - I am sure that you're all excellent riders and I'm sure that if such a requirement were in place, you'd fly through it and qualify. I'm also sure that there are a lot of people out there who would fail miserably - and they're the phakas I don't want on the roads - like I wouldn't want to be on the roads in Germany or USA or anywhere else unless I were sure I was not a risk.

[Marmoot]

Frankly, I don't think I should have the right to drive/ride in Germany.

I do not think that having held a full motorcycle licence for around 22 years and paying a fee to some gummint revenue collector in any way shape or form qualifies me to ride a motorcycle on the right hand side of a German Autobahn or attempt to negotiate crowded German streets with a different set of road rules.

I feel that if I were to go to another country, I should be tested as to my knowledge of their road rules at the very least - sure I know how to ride a bike, but I know squat about who gives way to whom in Germany. Possibly should have to get a "learner's licence" when arriving in another country.

I'd happily study for and sit a test to ride in a foreign country. And go out for a practical test with a duly authorised testing agent of that country to determine whether or not I have sufficient knowledge of their road rules to drive safely.

I think everyone who comes here should go through the same.

Nothing personal to any "new New Zealanders" or tourists on this site - I am sure that you're all excellent riders and I'm sure that if such a requirement were in place, you'd fly through it and qualify. I'm also sure that there are a lot of people out there who would fail miserably - and they're the phakas I don't want on the roads - like I wouldn't want to be on the roads in Germany or USA or anywhere else unless I were sure I was not a risk.

Frankly, I agree with you.
But any changes on that agreement affects multi countries, so I do not think a few crying kiwis will change that :( unfortunately.
Before you say anything: yeah, I hate the situation as much as you do.

But, on a lighter note, I do not think 1000 abusers out of 1000000 good people signify the bad rules. Any rules are open to abuse and it is the policing/enforcement that really matters, don't you agree?
(not that I am suggesting to have more police or anything :brick: )

[Ixion]

I also.

I once hired a car in San Franciso. After the first day, I wouldn't drive it again - took public transport, or got the people we were seeing drive it.

The traffic wasn't too bad , but I just didn't think I was safe. No bad experiences, but just knew that I couldn't trust myself to react correctly if something did happen and I had to go instinctive. Left hand instincts of many years would have kicked in , which would probably have been a Bad Thing.

Not knowing the local rules, even more not knowing the local conventions, and trying to cope with all that while also rememberbing about the drive on right bit, was just not safe. If I'd absolutely had to, I could have but I just didn't feel safe.

It's not the keeping right, that's actually easy, it's the differences in positioning on the road, roundabouts etc.

I dare say if I'd had a week or two I could have adapted. But tourists don't generally have a few weeks to cautiously "work into it". Different if you are actually immigrating, maybe.

[speedpro]

Driving in Manila wouldn't be a problem for a Kiwi. There are no rules, you don't stop for red lights and if there is room on the other side of the central island and you think you might get past before the next lights then it's OK to give it a go. If you don't make it you'll end up with a line of cars 'behind' you. You also don't stop for cops unless they are actually drawing the old sidearm. Roundabouts are mainly one way but if you think you might get to where you want to go faster by going the wrong way, especially if it's only the first exit on the right, then try it.

[Waylander]

It's not as hard as some of you think to adjust to driving on the oppoite side of the road. Like I said before I have never had a problem with it, only getting in on the correct side of the car when I drive it. Had to think about it for about 2 days and then it was instinctive as well as everything that comes with driving on the other side.