NZ Motorists

**marty** · 15th November 2005, 08:11

i used to sit at the sh27/swamp rd stop sign - many bad crashes there from people not stopping on the swamp rd before crossing the highway. here i would be, in my lollypop car not 50m from the intersection, and people would still drive straight through. often i'd sit on swamp rd with the radar in stationary mode. best speed through the intersection, with a boat on, 60km/h. they had slowed from 100 though, so some credit to them. he got one for Dangerous. and being 50000kms over on his ruc.

most people would say 'oh there was no-one there so i thought it'd be ok'. well I was there you idiot. and how many times has someone said, after being t-boned in an intersection, 'oh i didn't see you'? no-one says 'oh i saw you but i thought i'd pull out anyway' do they?

**Grahameeboy** · 15th November 2005, 08:27

In the UK Road Code it tells you the following:
- Look, Signal then Manoeuvre
In the NZ Road Code
- It says nothing and drivers generally tend to Manouevre, signal then look.
In the UK Road Code
- Do not alter direction if to do so will cause another driver to brake, swerve etc.
In the NZ Road Code
- Indicate for 3 seconds.....nothing about checking that you can actually change direction safely.

NZ has one of the lowest average speed limits, yet has one of the highest death rates per head of population. The UK has higher average speed limits and yes you have guessed it, has a lower death rate per head of population.

NZ Drivers are dream drivers as they do not have to tax their brains as much as you do in UK or Europe so they do not gain skills or awareness.

In the UK the fast lane is the fast lane doing around 90mph or 135kph.....this creates driving skills.

What can the Ltsa do...not a lot. A test does not get you ready for the road, however, I still think they should raise the driving bar to 17 and abolish the stupid 'Restricted Licence' where you can have 16 year olds driving on their own....I remember when I first arrived here 7 years ago I say some kid driving a 4wd and he could not see over the wheel...jesus!!!

But hey, stop complaining. We all know what drivers are like so we just have to anticipate more and lets face it we only have to be extra vigilent around town, not the twisties so our fate is in our own hands not some one elses.....I do not weave in and out of traffic like a lot of bikers here do which is just stupid man...you are asking for trubs and you cannot expect drivers to see you or learn respect.

That is my 2+ cents worth

**James Deuce** · 15th November 2005, 08:36

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

s!!!

But hey, stop complaining.

Who's complaining? We're merely making observations about driving conditions, much the same way people make observations about weather. There's about as much "Intelligent Design" behind the average NZ Driver as there is the weather.

**Grahameeboy** · 15th November 2005, 08:49

Observation is just a get out word for saying you are not complaining ain't it!!! and my reference to complaining is just another word for observing aint' it
....he he

**James Deuce** · 15th November 2005, 08:53

Bah. You live in Devonport. That immediately invalidates any of your opinions, you fluffy cardigan wearing, organic food consuming liberal, you.

**chris** · 15th November 2005, 09:13

Maybe a start would be to use the correct terminology for the motorway lanes? There is no 'fast' lane or 'slow' lane. You should be in lane one at all times other than when overtaking by using lanes two and three (called overtaking lanes funnily enough).

**Grahameeboy** · 15th November 2005, 09:15

I look good in pink NZ wool ya know darling pie.........and hey I love Wellington and don't prejudge us in Devo.....my disabled Daughter also finds is easier to get around too..bah!!
London Boys rule.....if ever you are up here give is a bell and we can have a beer in the fluffy liberal pub we have here.....if you don't mind the cardy's...mind you some birds look good in cardy's!!!

**Lou Girardin** · 15th November 2005, 09:37

Originally Posted by chris

Maybe a start would be to use the correct terminology for the motorway lanes? There is no 'fast' lane or 'slow' lane. You should be in lane one at all times other than when overtaking by using lanes two and three (called overtaking lanes funnily enough).

There is no requirement to keep to the left hand lanes on multilane roads in NZ. Unlike most of the rest of the world.

**chris** · 15th November 2005, 09:52

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

There is no requirement to keep to the left hand lanes on multilane roads in NZ. Unlike most of the rest of the world.

That's not what it says in the Roadcode.

**Drunken Monkey** · 15th November 2005, 10:30

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

A lot of not indicating but also a lot of "I am going to turn/pull out as my magic indicator will protect me and create a gap".
Wait a few seconds, someone will let you in.

Not saying it happened in this case, but from my experience driving commercials, drivers have nasty habbits of sitting in your (rather large) blind spots. All you can do is indicate for 3-5 seconds and start moving the van/truck over. Sometimes you hear a honk and get the finger, you shrug and drive on. Some people have no idea how little vision you have of vehicles around your rear quarters you have.
Not indicating at all is just being a wank though. Doesn't do the rest of the truckies any favours, for sure.

**James Deuce** · 15th November 2005, 10:37

Originally Posted by chris

That's not what it says in the Roadcode.

Each lane on multilane roads is it's own highway in NZ. Blimmin' stupid. The roadcode comment is a "best practice" suggestion.

**chris** · 15th November 2005, 13:10

Originally Posted by Jim2

Each lane on multilane roads is it's own highway in NZ. Blimmin' stupid. The roadcode comment is a "best practice" suggestion.

I know what you are saying, but in my opinion 'keep left unless passing' is pretty definitive.
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/key...-driving2.html

**James Deuce** · 15th November 2005, 13:18

Originally Posted by chris

I know what you are saying, but in my opinion 'keep left unless passing' is pretty definitive.
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/key...-driving2.html

It means keep left in the lane you are in. Motorcyclists can be fined for riding in the right hand wheel track of any lane. I doubt there is a cop who would try it on though.

**James Deuce** · 15th November 2005, 13:18

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

if ever you are up here give is a bell and we can have a beer in the fluffy liberal pub we have here

Done! 1st round is mine.

**chris** · 15th November 2005, 13:21

Originally Posted by Jim2

It means keep left in the lane you are in. Motorcyclists can be fined for riding in the right hand wheel track of any lane. I doubt there is a cop who would try it on though.

OK, maybe this will convince you.
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-sa...f-changes.html