Tougher restrictions on foreign drivers in NZ

[bobsmith]

I agree with skyryder.

Being a asian myself and having asian relatives, I noticed that most asians do not want to drive where they travel. Most asians that cause trouble on our roads are people who have come here to live, not here to visit. Hell, my mother wanted to travel to south island and she wanted to go around on a bus... I said, if you're going to go on a bus, you can go without me (long story but I'll never get on a bus in NZ unless my life depended on it and even then it will be hard), which she did.

Anyhow, for most asians, it is not the norm to travel somewhere and rent a car and drive, most of them either hire private tour guides to drive them around or go in groups in buses.

[SlowHand]

The definitive oxymoron.

I was thinkin of that as my next album; Strat - The Definitive Oxymoron.
But it seems someone else in music land has taken one similar.
The Oxymorons

[sAsLEX]

Tourists dont bimble round the CBD, can be found in areas where they paint arrows on the road ie queenstown etc

[Troll]

Sorry guys, but I'm damned if I want sit a licence test every time I want to drive a rental o'seas.
Do you all realise that we'd be regarded just as badly for our driving skills if there were enough of us in, say, Europe.

too bloody true

last time i was in NZ I was appalled and the extremely low standard of driving

Driving standards in NZ are lower than anywhere in europe except possibly portugal where it is so bad I'd never ride there again

[scracha]

too bloody true
last time i was in NZ I was appalled and the extremely low standard of driving
Driving standards in NZ are lower than anywhere in europe except possibly portugal where it is so bad I'd never ride there again

Shhh...don't tell the Kiwi's. Their standard response to ANY form of CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is "if you don't like it then bugger off back home etc etc". Don't ever mention tried and tested transport improvements like trains, exhaust emissions testing and better driver education.

Still, I think it says something good about your average Kiwi that apart from driving, roads, pollution, wages and piss weak beer, it's still a miles better place to live than the UK

If you want a better laugh. Taking my first "exploritory" visit into account, I'll have been driving here nearly two years. Only now do I have to sit some stupid theory test (one for the car and one for the bike). Gawd only knows the logic in making someone sit a test after they've been driving for 2 years.

[XP@]

For the tourists:
* Rental companies should make sure drivers know the differences in our road rules. (they probably do this, but an ACC sponsored leaflets in all the languages would help)
* They should also remind drivers that they should not drive with jetlag (remember the lions tour).

For all drivers not with a kiwi licence. One offence = instant ban until full licence obtained.

International drivers wanting kiwi licence:
Respected countries - can convert to kiwi with a scratch test, unless any serious convictions in their home country.
Other countries or drivers with convictions - should start as restricted.

Plus we should be a lot harder on our own anti-social drivers who insist on drink driving and dangerous driving. Though, this is a double edged sword...

[Ixion]

All of which is pretty much what we have now.

[jord]

Saslex. Agreed

i went for my 2nd ever ride a day after i got my leaners about a week ago. about 20 minutes into it, some bastard asain comes roaring out of a concealed side street and without looking or indicatin pulls right out in front of me. now i tel you i gripped my vtz like nothing else, the old vtz gripped those discs lik nothing else i held held the f*^% on.

now i followed him for a bit and eventualy he pulled over. when he got out of the car he came over to me and said "wot yor problam" now without thinkin twice said you mate, did u buy your license? judging by the sudden burst of anger in his eyes he understood. and pushed me...to cut me off on my 1st day of riding is bad enough but to physicaly push me was the final straw. two words... "upper" "cut" then the old helmet bash to the forehead did the trick. he then ran back to his car and slowly drove away. now for a 15 year old this was quite a day

[bobsmith]

this is why I never understand why people push.

Obviously if you're pushing you're looking for a physical flight. So might as well start with a punch and get a upper hand while you're at it...

Of course, it's pretty stupid for someone to pick a fight with someone who's wrapped up in helmet and lether.

Idiots.

[twinkle]

Avoid taking symonds street if you can, its pretty difficult to watch parked cars on both sides of the road, four lanes of traffic and the students crossing the road. I think all the accidents i've heard of have been going down the hill too. Not much good it being someone elses fault if you're dead.

[Goblin]

I dont think changing the licencing would make any difference at all. There are shitloads of people who drive without any kind of licence. (How about the guy with no arms in Tauranga who was done for dangerous driving. He's prolly a better driver than most.)

My cousin was hit head on by some South Africans and lived to tell the tale. Both legs & both arms were broken, left leg was a compound fracture. Broken pelvis and a few ribs but his spine and head were ok. Now the SA's responsible were leaving NZ the following week so didnt even get charged. The driver(a stone mason) was very sorry and bought Dave a really cool new leather jacket and sent it over when he was back in SA. Wrote him a real sorry letter and carried on with his life as normal. Now Dave will never ride again as he has limited use of his left leg. He now lives in Perth as NZ winters are too cold and cause too much pain.
Now tougher licence testing wouldn't have prevented this. It only takes one little lapse in concentration and they forget which side of the road they're supposed to be on and tough shit for anyone coming the other way. It's an inability to concentrate on driving the whole time people are on the road that causes accidents. Not testing. Some people can fly through scratch and win test and still be useless drivers on the road.

I cant speak for Dorkland as I avoid the palce like the plague but there are bad drivers of every race in every city.

Glad you pulled up before impact saslex.

[NINJA GIRL]

i agree
i have been run over by an islander in a cortina (i hate fords anyway).
no speak english...no licence...no rego or warrant either.
"i not see you" had my lights on too.
wank..
spent 5 years on acc recovering. got permenent disability now.
but im still riding. got a bigger bike now so the next one i hit wont be driving off
after i cut his car in half

[Ixion]

By conscious choice I have never driven when visiting "drive on the wrong side" countries. It is too dangerous.

We are constantlly being told "driving is a privilege not a right". So how come it's a right for people from other countries?

[Edbear]

That's not what the LTSA says.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html

Scroll down to "Does everyone sit the practical test?"

Daughter's fiance came out from Germany, he's 28 and has a full German licence. Stayed on it for a year then had to sit the Theory to get the equivalent NZ licences. Didn't have to do the practical even though Germany drives on the other side of the road. He's a very good driver though, the situation in Germany as with most European countries I'd guess, means the eskill level is much higher than here. After all, he's used to driving at 200km/h+! Only problem he's had here, so far, is nearly getting run down while crossing the road the first couple of times cause he looked the wrong way.
Since he met our family, he now wants to get his bike licence! Loves my GSX-F!

[Edbear]

Ps. and a couple speeding tickets! Found the local speed limits boring....!