Is 6 months all a biker's life is worth? In the news today!

[James Deuce]

No, it was anti National's social policy in regard to disabled children. A subtle but meaningful difference.

That's your perception. It's not mine.

[JohnR]

I think the driving mentallity here needs a good working over...

Anyone up for a coffee? I'll have white and no sugar thanks.

... and the "qualification" to drive.

Think on this... your driving licence is suspendedwhen you commit offences of a dangerous or careless nature.
What if, rather than just be given your licence back after the required "sentence" you where invited to reapply for a licence? New test and all the costs etc
A bit more of a deterent maybe?
Of course the test would be the new revised driver test with an examiner who knew you were a disqualified driver

[JohnR]

I read somewhere (doing cheesecutter research) that a road death costs the country somewhere in the nature of $3.4M.

There's the answer then... that's what she should pay!

[imdying]

I'd be more inclined to use the word priceless.

I know it to be so.

Sorry, that was meant to be 'worth less'

[davebullet]

Sorry if already answered above...

What is the application / test process in NZ for an American full licensed driver (assuming she had a full USA car license)?

I would hope the simple fact that drivers from countries who use opposite sides of the road; mandates the driver must go through a learner process (ie. start from scratch again).

If an American tourist can come here and just hop in a car like a fully licensed driver, that's akin to me saying "gee - I've got a car license, I can now hop in a heavy articulated truck and just drive that around"....

[SPman]

Sorry if already answered above...

What is the application / test process in NZ for an American full licensed driver (assuming she had a full USA car license)? - If you've got a full license, you can use that if in the country on holiday. If you're staying, then you need your license validated to a local one

I would hope the simple fact that drivers from countries who use opposite sides of the road; mandates the driver must go through a learner process (ie. start from scratch again).

If an American tourist can come here and just hop in a car like a fully licensed driver, that's akin to me saying "gee - I've got a car license, I can now hop in a heavy articulated truck and just drive that around"....

No it's not - It's like a Kiwi rider going to the States or Europe and expecting to ride/drive .

[mstriumph]

I am disgusted at this....some stupid yankee bitch gets 6 months home detention for killing a pillion passenger...FFS, whats a human life worth!!!



Is it just me or has the world gone to the dogs????

i've driven/ridden on the right as a tourist in europe and the states
- even if you are normally adequate as a driver on your own turf it's chilling to realise how EASY it is to 'revert' to your normal, left-side driving when you are even the slightest bit tired or distracted ........ and how dangerous this would be in traffic

no - it HASN'T happened to me - but it very well could have, and it HAS happened [luckily with no ill consequences...] to drivers whose skills i respect

the incident reported on is sad beyond belief and the fault is squarely with the car driver ......

but i can't call her names
because i'm too busy thinking "there, but for the grace ..... go I"

[Badjelly]

The incident reported on is sad beyond belief and the fault is squarely with the car driver ...... But i can't call her names because i'm too busy thinking "there, but for the grace ..... go I"

That's the point of righteous indignation: it distracts us from pondering our own fallibility.

[jrandom]

Look at the guy who ignored instructions, drank, doped and drowned his 2 kids in a boat he shouldnt have been in charge of.

Didnt he only get community service?

Mmhmm. Correct.

Care to comment on this one, Jim?

[Mom]

I say again,

lest it should start eating your soul.

Have you thought about yoga?

[davebullet]

If you've got a full license, you can use that if in the country on holiday. If you're staying, then you need your license validated to a local one

Then (unless I've misunderstood you), our laws are absolutely absurd.

So the NZ law states a USA visitor / tourist can drive around on their own USA license without any proof they understand our NZ roadrules, but if they are staying, then they need validation?

That's like saying it's safe to do 400Km/h if your only doing it for 10 seconds, but that speed for 1 minute is risky.

I mean, you either prove you know the road rules, or you don't. How long you visit a country for and how long you are driving, the risk is there.

Or... was the fact the citizen in question was from a powerful and influential country, meaning no NZ lawmaker, politician nor judge would dare impose a sentence for fear of repercussion?

[mstriumph]

Have you thought about yoga?

.... nooo - i'm not fond of dairy ....

oh .... YOGA ....

sorry

[mstriumph]

Then (unless I've misunderstood you), our laws are absolutely absurd.

So the NZ law states a USA visitor / tourist can drive around on their own USA license without any proof they understand our NZ roadrules, but if they are staying, then they need validation?................

Or... was the fact the citizen in question was from a powerful and influential country, meaning no NZ lawmaker, politician nor judge would dare impose a sentence for fear of repercussion?

no - it doesn't mean that
i know it doesn't make it any more sensible - but exactly the same applies when WE go THERE ......... it's an inter-country courtesy thingy

[Badjelly]

Then (unless I've misunderstood you), our laws are absolutely absurd.

So the NZ law states a USA visitor / tourist can drive around on their own USA license without any proof they understand our NZ roadrules...

So what do you suggest we do about tourists who want to drive rental vehicles in our country? Require them to whip down to the local LTSA office and pass a test? Or just forbid them?

I have hired vehicles in Australia and USA. They didn't ask me to pass a test.

And besides, the accident described in the original post was caused by a person failing to remember to drive on the left-hand side of the road. You can't test for that.

[imdying]

Perhaps making GPS compulsory for overseas visitors would be a start? It just takes one more item out of the work load loop IME. We drove around the California coast without trouble, and I attribute at least a little of that to not having to worry about where I was headed. A big feck off sticker on the dashboard of a car with an arrow pointing left and 'KEEP LEFT' in bold might help too?