Courtesy on New Zealand roads

**McJim** · 1st January 2009, 17:35

Regular readers of McJim's drivel will be aware that I have a bee in my bonnet about courtesy on New Zealand roads (or lack therein) and believe this to cause an inordinate amount of pain and suffering among the denizens of this fine country (not to mention the empty pockets of ACC!).

I would like to take this opportunity to be big enough to say that I was wrong in my sweeping accusations. I got a new tyre for the bike a couple of days ago and decided to scrub it in by way of the Catlins. You don't generally meet many cars on that road and today I had occasion to be behind 5 cars on different occasions. Every single one of them pulled into the left at the first opportunity to let me past

I ensured that on each occasion I let them know how pleased I was at their actions

The final instance where I had cause to pass a car was on a straight piece of road heading back to Invercargill. Although straight it has a number of blind summits so I waited for good visibility over a long stretch before indicating my intention and accelerating past the car. To my amazement when I was level with the car he applied the brakes to ensure my maneuovre was safe without the need for excessive speed.

What a nice guy.

My faith in all things Kiwi has been restored.

**Ocean1** · 1st January 2009, 17:51

It's taken you this long to figure out things are a tad different down there?

**scumdog** · 1st January 2009, 17:55

You're drunk aren't you??

Courtesy on NZ roads is as rare as a taniwha.

OK, maybe down here it MAY exist.

**wbks** · 1st January 2009, 17:59

Originally Posted by scumdog

You're drunk aren't you??

Courtesy on NZ roads is as rare as a taniwha.
.

Wrong. Last time I was around big development sites courtesy seemed pretty rare

**98tls** · 1st January 2009, 18:03

Originally Posted by scumdog

You're drunk aren't you??

Courtesy on NZ roads is as rare as a taniwha.

OK, maybe down here it MAY exist.

What is a taniwha?

**Katman** · 1st January 2009, 18:03

As a rather revealing sidenote..........

I drove down to the Boxing Day races in the ute. Through the Paraparas I slowed and moved over for countless bikes and got a wave of acknowledgement from one of them.

Interesting.

**FJRider** · 1st January 2009, 18:10

Originally Posted by scumdog

You're drunk aren't you??

Courtesy on NZ roads is as rare as a taniwha.

OK, maybe down here it MAY exist.

YOUR neigbourhood... you expect less... quality enforcement in "that" area...maybe...

**MIXONE** · 1st January 2009, 18:11

Originally Posted by 98tls

What is a taniwha?

A thing quite capable of stopping large developments and other worthwhile workings.

**ElCoyote** · 1st January 2009, 18:12

Originally Posted by 98tls

What is a taniwha?

There may well be numerous Taniwha but there is one hungry little bastard that gobbles up money whenever a new road is proposed in the Waikato. Personally I would like to shove something up his arse after I lit the fuse.............but that's just me.

**FJRider** · 1st January 2009, 18:13

Originally Posted by Katman

As a rather revealing sidenote..........

I drove down to the Boxing Day races in the ute. Through the Paraparas I slowed and moved over for countless bikes and got a wave of acknowledgement from one of them.

Interesting.

I make a point of waving (more than one finger) for those that pull over to let me pass...

**98tls** · 1st January 2009, 18:15

Originally Posted by Katman

As a rather revealing sidenote..........

I drove down to the Boxing Day races in the ute. Through the Paraparas I slowed and moved over for countless bikes and got a wave of acknowledgement from one of them.

Interesting.

Down here anyway it seems car drivers pull over to let you past often,some annoy the shit outta me as there was no reason to really unless they get some satisfaction out of showering me with stones

that aside they mean well and i always give em a wave of thanks.

**FJRider** · 1st January 2009, 18:18

Originally Posted by 98tls

Down here anyway it seems car drivers pull over to let you past often,some annoy the shit outta me as there was no reason to really unless they get some satisfaction out of showering me with stones

that aside they mean well and i always give em a wave of thanks.

stone chips...

**98tls** · 1st January 2009, 18:32

Originally Posted by FJRider

stone chips...

Actually mate no,the old TL is a two wheeled testament to the clear plastic covering stuff,10 years on and theres honestly not one stone chip on the fairing.I have the stuff everywhere even on fork outers,works a treat.

**FJRider** · 1st January 2009, 18:45

Originally Posted by 98tls

Actually mate no,the old TL is a two wheeled testament to the clear plastic covering stuff,10 years on and theres honestly not one stone chip on the fairing.I have the stuff everywhere even on fork outers,works a treat.

Testament to the older bikes... dont have to wrap them in cotton, wool or plastic to protect them. I just hate those stone chips on my KNEE CAPS...