Some questions about NZ driving regulations

[mujambee]

Hi,

In my search of info about NZ, while browsing through the forums, I've came up with some more questions:

1. What are the generic upper/lower speed limits on different road types?
2. Can you go to jail for a driving offense?
3. Can you be accused of Excessive speeding without the use of a radar/laser?
4. How is drunkenness treated over there? (Not that I'm planning on riding drunk, but a friend of mine got caught here last week and I'm curious)

[Nasty]

1. What are the generic upper/lower speed limits on different road types?
50 Residential/local .. 100 motorway .... that is in wellington auckland is different

2. Can you go to jail for a driving offense?
get enough of them yup

3. Can you be accused of Excessive speeding without the use of a radar/laser?

yup - doesn't mean they get ya though

4. How is drunkenness treated over there? (Not that I'm planning on riding drunk, but a friend of mine got caught here last week and I'm curious)

Don't is the easiest way ... it is really frowned upon and costs dearly.

[awayatc]

Hi,


4. How is drunkenness treated over there? (Not that I'm planning on riding drunk, but a friend of mine got caught here last week and I'm curious)

we don't treat it....it usualy goes away after a good night sleep....

[James Deuce]

Hi,

In my search of info about NZ, while browsing through the forums, I've came up with some more questions:

1. What are the generic upper/lower speed limits on different road types?
2. Can you go to jail for a driving offense?
3. Can you be accused of Excessive speeding without the use of a radar/laser?
4. How is drunkenness treated over there? (Not that I'm planning on riding drunk, but a friend of mine got caught here last week and I'm curious)

1. You guys use Arabic numerals. You'll figure it out from the road signs.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. NZ has no problem allowing drunk and disqualified drivers on the road, and road deaths caused by other drivers are treated as minor non-criminal offences. You have to take a vehicle into a shopping mall and head for a children's clothing shop and squash a 6 year old to get into touble for killing someone with a vehicle.

[Mikkel]

4. NZ has no problem allowing drunk and disqualified drivers on the road, and road deaths caused by other drivers are treated as minor non-criminal offences. You have to take a vehicle into a shopping mall and head for a children's clothing shop and squash a 6 year old to get into touble for killing someone with a vehicle.

Nice and cynical, I like it. Would bling you, but have to share the love first...

[Waxxa]

We do drive on the LEFT hand side of the road...in case you dont in Spain

[Ixion]

Hi,

In my search of info about NZ, while browsing through the forums, I've came up with some more questions:

1. What are the generic upper/lower speed limits on different road types?
2. Can you go to jail for a driving offense?
3. Can you be accused of Excessive speeding without the use of a radar/laser?
4. How is drunkenness treated over there? (Not that I'm planning on riding drunk, but a friend of mine got caught here last week and I'm curious)

1. Blanket upper limit is 100kph (ie you can't legally go faster than that anywhere). Lower limits are signposted. Urban areas (ie places with houses) are generally 50kph, but can be lower or higher. Signposts tell you. Speed limits are not usually related to the type of road (ie there is not a "motorway speed limit" as such)
2. Yes, though it would be unlikely for a first offence. There are a number of offences that *can* carry a prison sentence. Causing death by dangerous driving is usually the big one.
3. Yes. You can be accused of excessive speed just on the estimation of a police officer (indeed, any member of the public, though that would be very rare). Of course you have a better chance of of successfully denying the charge in the absence of radar evidence. Police will regularly (and successfully) charge drivers on the basis of their speedometer reading (ie they follow you and look at their own speedo).
4. Driving with excessive alcohol in the blood (ie drunk) is a serious offence. Note that the limits are MUCH lower for under 20s. For a first offence *in theory* you can go to jail, but in practice the usual for a first offence is a heavy fine (around the $1000 mark), and mandatory disqualification for six months. Repeat offences , can be dearer, and longer. Note that if you are disqualified for more than 12 months, you have to resit all your licence tests again, from the learner stage. Ouch. Drink driving compounded with other offences (eg dangerous driving) is a more serious matter.

[Ixion]

We do drive on the LEFT hand side of the road...in case you dont in Spain

well , some of us do !

[peasea]

Hi,
3. Can you be accused of Excessive speeding without the use of a radar/laser?

Not only can you be accused of it, I've been convicted of it.

The copper wrote "Excessive speed" across the ticket at 45 degrees and put about four exclamation marks at the end. I don't think that me laughing at the ticket helped but it WAS pretty funny at the time. He didn't even care to guess at my speed and I can't recall what it cost me but I didn't lose my license coz there was no speed quoted. Co-incidentally, the fuckwit got stabbed a wee while after that and he was put on court duties.

[oldrider]

well , some of us do !

Probably about 50/50 so just go with what you feel comfortable with!

Everyone else here does but give way to those in front, on the left, on the right and especially those behind you and you might be OK!

Might even pay to speak nicely to the big guy directly above you as well.

New Zealand is just chock full of choices, aint it. Enjoy your stay, if you do come over! John.

[enigma51]

Hi,

In my search of info about NZ, while browsing through the forums, I've came up with some more questions:

1. What are the generic upper/lower speed limits on different road types?
2. Can you go to jail for a driving offense?
3. Can you be accused of Excessive speeding without the use of a radar/laser?
4. How is drunkenness treated over there? (Not that I'm planning on riding drunk, but a friend of mine got caught here last week and I'm curious)

1. What roads? its all bush
2. We send you to australia
3. whats a radar and this laser thing
4. We dont get drunk you might just be mistaken for a sheep

[YellowDog]

Compared with Europe, the drink drive limit is unusually high in NZ. I don't drink and drive however the one time I did (not out of choice), I got stopped and breathalised. I was in a car. I'd had 4 bottles of 5% beer and 2 glasses of red wine. I felt quite tipsy so I was driving slowly. I got stopped for "suspiciouly slow driving" (50kph in a 50kph zone). I passed the test with a green light, no problem. I won't be taking such a risk again.

[oldrider]

Compared with Europe, the drink drive limit is unusually high in NZ. I don't drink and drive however the one time I did (not out of choice), I got stopped and breathalised. I was in a car. I'd had 4 bottles of 5% beer and 2 glasses of red wine. I felt quite tipsy so I was driving slowly. I got stopped for "suspiciouly slow driving" (50kph in a 50kph zone). I passed the test with a green light, no problem. I won't be taking such a risk again.

Triumph riders are such discerning people. You "almost" let the side down! but:

All is forgiven, moving right along. . Cheers John.

[Madness]

The Police don't need evidence to accuse you of anything in this cuntry. They fund their campaign of false accusations through the use of a quota system for the issuing of speeding tickets. Cops have a minimum number of tickets they have to issue every hour, you just have to hope they've had a good days catch if you happen to come into their sights.

[Disco Dan]

Hi,

In my search of info about NZ, while browsing through the forums, I've came up with some more questions:

1. What are the generic upper/lower speed limits on different road types?
2. Can you go to jail for a driving offense?
3. Can you be accused of Excessive speeding without the use of a radar/laser?
4. How is drunkenness treated over there? (Not that I'm planning on riding drunk, but a friend of mine got caught here last week and I'm curious)

You will have to excuse the rest, they seem to have skipped their meds today.

This man Ixion quoted below... is an actual serious response. Sad when you actually ask a question but you can count on Ixion to be serious.

1. Blanket upper limit is 100kph (ie you can't legally go faster than that anywhere). Lower limits are signposted. Urban areas (ie places with houses) are generally 50kph, but can be lower or higher. Signposts tell you. Speed limits are not usually related to the type of road (ie there is not a "motorway speed limit" as such)
2. Yes, though it would be unlikely for a first offence. There are a number of offences that *can* carry a prison sentence. Causing death by dangerous driving is usually the big one.
3. Yes. You can be accused of excessive speed just on the estimation of a police officer (indeed, any member of the public, though that would be very rare). Of course you have a better chance of of successfully denying the charge is the absence of radar evidence. Police will regularly (and successfully) charge drivers on the basis of their speedometer reading 9ie they follow you and look at their own speedo).
4. Driving with excessive alcohol in the blood (ie drunk) is a serious offence. Note that the limits are MUCH lower for under 25s. For a first offence *in theory* you can go to jail, but in practice the usual for a first offence is a heavy fine (around the $1000 mark), and mandatory disqualification for six months. Repeat offences , can be dearer, and longer. Note that if you are disqualified for more than 12 months, you have to resit all your licence tests again, from the learner stage. Ouch. Drink driving compounded with other offences (eg dangerous driving) is a more serious matter.