As I posted previously, we went to Rotura over the last weekend.
A quick summary of the drive there and back:
Time: just under 4 hours each way, including a leisurely lunch in Taupo.
Distance: approx 240 km, one way.
Conditions: Fine and dry.
Number of times overtaken by a a fellow motorist who couldn’t handle me only doing the speed limit: about 30.
Number of times this happened when approaching a blind corner or crest: at least 10.
Number of times this happened when the overtaker was heading in my direction and I momentarily feared for my life: twice.
Also found out today that NZ law makes it possible for kids aged only fifteen-and-a-half to obtain a restricted drivers’ license and therefore drive unacompanied by an adult.
Buckle up people.
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Kiwiana said
Actually you are wrong,you get a learners licence at that age which you have to drive with an adult for a year or so before you can get your restricted then you can only drive between certain hours.You should really get your facts right,ozzies are the worst driver in the world.
Craig said
i’m a kiwi living in NZ & can agree, Kiwi driving ain’t polite =)
but, our beer owns your XXXX.
Scott said
Just a few comments to the x pat ozzie. Rotorua is spelt Rotorua, perhaps you need to learn to spell before you start popping public comments. Also, the smell is sulphur, not farts, it is also not rotten eggs, as so many suggest – clearly those who suggest such have never smelt a rotten egg before,and lastly, kiwis know exactly how to pronounce the common vowel sounds, in fact better than the ozzies … feesh and cheeeps yeah right ..
Tim said
It’s not really a speed limit, more like guidelines!
SmCrzKwi said
Yes you can get the restricted six months after fifteen. Most people I knew were too lazy to take the licensing tests as soon as they could and the restricted test is considered harder than the full by many.
One of the reasonings goes back to the farming nature of many areas… it’s just practical. Kids learn the basic skills and transfer them.
They don’t lack the skills necessarily. Plus they cannot drive after ten pm and before five am, mostly avoiding the risk of them getting drunk and too stupid.
Not saying there aren’t idiots on the road. there are, plenty. It is definitely frustrating when a guy is ramming up your ass and you’re doing 100k. But not all the idiots are 15 and not all 15 year olds are horrible drivers.
Dave said
Unless you are going past a school, you will not get a ticket if you are doing no more than 10 kms above the speed limit. The effective speed limit in a 100 k zone is therefore 110 km.
Reg said
I suppose it makes a change from seeing a cocaine fueled trucker in your rear view mirror just before they bowl you into the dingo shit, eh, bro!
Mark Graham said
nice one – you went to Rotorua via Taupo. A fine sense of direction from our rather overly superior aussie cousins.
Ni Ni Ni in NZ said
NZers are yahoos on the road. The number of things I have witnessed here in 2 years that would lose you your license in Europe or the US would fill a phonebook. The cops and councils only bother spinning money off of easy targets. WoF is a joke and little more than an administrative money grab.
Liz said
Thank God I wasn’t on the road when you were too busy counting stuff to know what you were supposed to be doing. Typical Aussie. Only able to do one thing at a time well. Never mind at least you will be able to count the sheep!!!
Alan said
Hey I think both us Kiwis and Aussies could do with some driving tips. I am a Kiwi originally, but after 8 years in London, now live in Australia.
In my opinion, Kiwi drivers can often drive like idiots, very recklessly. Also using the indicator is seldom done. UK drivers were better, although being a slow car on the M40 north would meet quite a bit of aggression! In Sydney (where we live), the driving isn’t too bad for a big city, however few will let you into a lane if you act passively.
On a positive note, I have driven in the US quite a bit and they are the most courteuous and well mannered drivers I have come across.
Bugz said
Haha, don’t get me started on drivers in New Zealand:
- The inability to merge onto a motorway at a speed faster than 50.
- Slowing down to around 70 when approaching motorway exits, but not actually exiting.
- Turning right when there is a “No Right Turn”sign.
- Stopping where it says “No Stopping”
- Not indicating to change lanes.
- Driving 80 in the motorway fast lane.
- Running red lights.
- Not stopping at pedestrian crossings. (have actually been hit by a car, the driver of which then proceeded to abuse me)
The list goes on and on – I now avoid driving whenever possible as I value my life.
john cooley said
It’s actually dangerous to drive at the speed limit in NZ because 3,4,5 or more impatient tailgaters will pile up behind you and will all overtake in a chain, in spite of cars coming from the other direction – this endangers you the at-speed-limit driver for there’s sure to be an accident. So one has to make a judgment in each situation which is more risky – speeding or not speeding. There is also an unwritten rule of the road where you signal left and pull over as much as you can to the left, and the others will pass you, they’ll give you a short beep sometimes which can mean anything from “thank you” to “ef you”.
stef said
bugz i am in totoal agreement with you
the driving is terrible over here not sure how they get there liscence. i am from the uk and would say that their driving tests and drivers are a lot better and skilled lol!! but not to say that we dont have bad drivers we do it just takes thema bit longer to get a liscence!
Clairzilla said
Oh my God! I drove all over the North and South Islands last year and I just about had a heart attack every time someone drove on the wrong side of the road… Let me set the scene, I’m doing 140km/hr on the road somewhere between Mt Ruhapehu (sp???) and Wellington, I remember seeing a sign for Palmerston North… anyway, I’m being overtaken by somebody and it’s a 2-lane road, so they’re on the wrong side of the road doing in-excess of 140km/hr. And that road out of Queenstown… ?Crown Reserve Road was the scariest thing I have ever encountered and I needed valium and some Sav Blanc. Best place ever though and I’d live there tomorrow
Alex said
I quite literally could not believe the horrendous driving in New Zealand. We all look like saints here in the UK by comparason.. and the state cars are allowed to be driven doesn’t bear to think about. I feared for my life on more than one occasion!
John said
I felt so alone in my impression of Kiwi driving. I moved over here in Nov last year and travel a windy and hilly passage to work and it scares the hell out of me every day! There is a long section of 30km limit but no one has ever done 30. I tried it a few times, but suffered traumatic stress from all the other drivers blasting me, over taking me, cutting me off, tail gating and any other type of road rage you can imagine. No one can merge, no one gives way, few seem to care about other road users. And I thought Victorians were the worst drivers!
Kim said
Are we so insecure that we can’t take a bit of fun poking? Or even justified criticism ?
We ARE bad drivers, especially when it comes overtaking, indicating (doesn’t happen) and running red lights. Rotorua DOES smell, this is just a fact, and it does smell like stale farts. This is just a way of describing the smell, why do some people take it so personally ?
We need to grow up a bit.
Easy Going Kiwi said
As for Kiwiana’s comment – here are the facts:
( http://www.ltsa.govt.nz )
*You must be at least 15 years old before you can apply for a drivers licence.
*You can apply for a restricted licence after you’ve held a learner licence for six months.
So yes, you can be driving alone on a restricted licence at the age of 15 & a half!!
Too young to vote, but old enough to drive a vehicle?! I’m with you Cheeky Aussie!!!
Greg said
I agree about driving in NZ.
If you drive at the speed limit, prepare to be run-over!
The turning rules are an accident waiting to happen; Aussies beware!
Running red lights in Auckland is a sport. The 3 second rule applies; when you get a green light, wait for 3 seconds while the idiots run the red light against you. I am serious! I see this everyday.
Pedestrian crossings are a ‘target rich environment’ for drivers. If a driver actually stops at a crossing (you usually have to wait for a few cars to pass first!), thank them! If they look angry for having to stop; apologise for getting in there way!
(3 year Aussie Expat)
Cuffs said
New Zealand roads are out + out race tracks, simple as that. If you spineless ockers can’t handle the jandle, get the bus.
Daz said
Mate, At least spell Rotorua correctly. If you are going to live here, learn to spell it.
DAVID said
God this is so embarrassing so many air head kiwis taking offence at humour. We are the worst drivers in the world, no matter how you dress it up. Letting children drive at 15 is just so stupid. The driving test could and probably has been passed drunk.There is zero responsibility and everyone thinks its their right to drive. Its a bloody privilege!
Great fun website keep up the good work
George said
What really rips my undies are drivers that happily cruise along the open road at between 80 – 90 yet speed up at a passing lane!!! No shit I was behind a car that was doing 80 yet I had my non turbo diesel ute up to 125 and could not get past them in the passing lane.
Oh and also drivers who think it’s ok to have 1/2 their car over the centre line when pulling out past slower vehicles that are straddling the fog line forcing you to pull to the left to basically avoid dying (take a deep breath now). Go figure.
Aussie Nik said
The road rules here are terible. I hate driving long distances cause I feer for my life as well with crazy people overtaking you at 160km’s per hour with oncoming traffic to doodge. Such a road rule should not exist.
Kiwiana, Have you actually ever been to Australia? “Ozzie” drivers are more aware that they have to share the road with other vehicles.
Craig, Do you realise that you have compared your countries beer to XXXX? XXXX is the cheapest nastiest beer around, of course your beer will own it! Mate Goon even owns XXXX.
Rawiri Mckinney said
Good on you very funny.
Wanderlust said
Love your blog. I am a Yank who emigrated to NZ in late 2002, then emigrated to Australia (in search of better work) in mid-2008. I lived in NZ for one month shy of six years.
I remember driving SH5 South from Taupo in April 2003. As there was hardly any traffic, I will admit to regarding the 100km limit as a rough guideline, driving most of that road at around 140. Unlike many others, though, I did slow down when approaching slower traffic.
I have driven in many major US cities. By comparison to NZ, the biggest difference in the US, to me, is that NZ drivers are much less likely to know how to drive on a congested road, let alone a motorway. For example, average speed on the Interstate highway in Atlanta on the fast side is 80mph (roughly 130km/h) and traffic flows fine.
Living in NZ was quite the cultural experience. Oddly enough, if Key ends up being right on fiscal policy (vs Rudd, that is), there just might be an immigration reversal in a couple years. But I think NZ needs to pull its collective head in about that whole “little man syndrome” thing. Really…
Aimee said
You people are embarrassing! Take the JOKE! No wonder so many kiwis are in such a hurry to jump ship and run to Aussie! Travel a little expand your minds, there’s a big wide world out there that is not NZ.
Also you can get you Learners at 15, cut in half the six month time by using a driving instructor, and the same with restricted can be cut in half with defensive driving courses. So yeah we do allow kids to drive on their own at 15 and 3months :)
Luke Hamblyn said
Im a Kiwi living in Sydney now, it seems a shame you bought up this “issue” of 15 year olds being able to drive when there are constantly many P Plater deaths happening over here. And also that many politicians are looking to our licencing system as a guide to overhaul Australia’s innept system.
Nick said
Yup kiwi drivers can be dodgy so best advice for ausys is get a big 4×4 but then you dont need the bull bars as there is no roos or dingos running over roads here.
Martin said
Surprised nobody has mentioned signaling at roundabouts. Where I work the kiwi’s discuss it endlessly, and just can’t get it, its so simple, but i suppose for the worlds worst drivers its probably really difficult to comprehend
kiwi_monsta said
You know, the whole driving issue is pretty much true, but not just about Kiwis or Aussies. It’s getting that way everywhere!
I have a friend in Norway and she told me it takes at least three years to get your full license, it’s much more expensive because you have compulsary driving lessons including snow and night driving. And you can’t start your learner’s until you’re at least 16 years old, that means the earliest a young person can drive by themselves is 19…a little inconvenient if you’re in the country or you’re heading to University and have to drive. But perhaps not such a stupid idea (maybe 18 years instead of 19 though).
Also, although I am not a teenager myself (and definitely the wrong end of the 20s) I have to say that the worst drivers aren’t always 15-20 year olds. A lot of times the worst drivers are male aged between 45 and 55 years old or female between 35 and 45 (mostly because of the kids in the back screaming and throwing things)
Mich said
I’m an ex-Kiwi living in Oz and the drivers over here are a LOT better. They actually let you in and you don’t get run off the road for doing the speed limit. In fact, if you go over it, you get a hefty fine! Much more tolerant society all round, people are kinder here.
Kate said
Totally agree with the crap driving. Go to England and you will see polite and considerate drivers!
Bollocks to the aggressive drivers in Christchurch!
Jack Yan said
This is so true! The bad driving really got highlighted for me when I was driving in LA one night, then hopped on a plane, then woke up here when it was morning. I got in a car and just noticed how bad we were—just little things mostly, but enough to actually get on my nerves. As to the person above lecturing you on spelling, come on—we’re among some of the worst spellers in the world, too! Me, I’d have cut you some slack on that. The only Aboriginal word we can spell is Monaro.
sarah said
So YOU were the guy holding everyone up!!!!;)
jimbo said
Next challenge: Drive from Auckland to Whangarei on a public holiday.
Points awarded for arriving unharmed.
Extra points awarded for arriving unharmed without witnessing several close calls.
Bonus points for arriving without using at over 9,000 swear words.
Callum said
No, it’s 6 months on a learners. You can obtain a restricted at 15 if you’re on to it.
Danno said
Never had a problem with Kiwis running red lights. Then again its been a couple of years since I have been there.. maybe NZ does have lights now… Well done NZ
Mandii in the OZ said
I Think Australia giving licences out at 18…The very same age that you can go down and LEGALLY buy alcohol isn’t such a fantastic idea either! Besides NZ must be doing something right considering Vic is tring to imitate the restricted licence with the new P1 system. But it definately is scary getting overtaken on a blind corner in a gorge when you yourself are actually already speeding!
Meg said
I am a Kiwi and I totally agree! The people who drive that road are crazy. Don’t even get me started on the driving age…
Cuz (Expat NZ in SYD) said
Please…..
Both sides of the ditch are a worry. Soon as it rains here (Syd) the roads turn to shit. I just did the Syd to melbourne run over night and the Semi Trailler issue is way out there. Saw a guy get out of his truck at a roadhouse in Yass who had to hold the bullbar to steady himself he was so doped up.
When I’m home over taking on two way open roads is a lottery for oncoming drivers.
But let me tell you that you aint seen nothing till you get driven around in Mumbai. 365 deaths a day on the roads in India
Omaio Gurl said
Geeze where do I star? I’m 100% kiwi & I’ve been living in Australia for the past 4 years & can not believe where some of these drivers got their licenses (from the weet-bix box maybe)? I have never come across so….many dangerous drivers in my life. Whats with the lack of common sense? And why are they always hesitant (accident material)? Why can’t Australian drivers learn how to merge (merge like a zip, people)? Why are there pedestrian crossing’s at nearly every damn intersection (damn dangerous). The only postive outcome with driving on these roads is the 40k/m zones around schools (they do have some sense). Geeze how I miss driving on real roads with real drivers!!!
Martlark said
If any says (insert comfy western rich home country) are the worst drivers then they have never been to India or anywhere in the middle east! I’m telling you it was a relief to come home to Oz and have people actually make a feeble effort at paying attention to road rules.
Macchu Picchu said
Driving in NZ is certainly an extreme sport. As one person pointed out, the road laws are more like ‘guidelines’. I quite like how:
- people use the painted median strip to merge from the opposite side of the road
- complete disregard for the colour of the traffic lights
- undertaking
- speeding up when an overtaking lane approaches
- tailgating when driving the speed limit
- mentioning to other Kiwis the abysmal driving and them blaming non-Kiwi drivers
- indicators don’t work on Kiwi cars
The general attitude is poor and reckless. I have never felt so nervous driving in one country, and I can’t remember the last journey I took without seeing some numnuts pulling a ridiculous manoeuvre. Definitely keeps you on your toes.
Keep up the excellent blog.
Clairzilla said
Must admit that even though I saw some really hairy incidences and I used those little circular signs with numbers on them as a guide only, we only saw one car accident and that was on the Desert Hwy, unfortunately it was a fatality. Probably should have seen many more though. That turning right rule though, I probably caused so many problems, especially in the Christchurch and Auckland CBDs when the GPS is telling me to turn right and there was no right turn at those intersections and then when I could turn right, I’m giving way to my right (as you do in Aussie) and I was getting horned and fingers waving at me. Still can’t get over driving on the edge of cliffs with no guard rails. That was so damn scary.
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Ian said
As a kiwi I totally agree. The number 1 priority here is the convenience of drivers. Safety is a distant concern for most drivers in NZ and officialdom also. For example, here in Napier when a pedestrian was killed on a pedestrian crossing, the polices prognosis was that hardly anyone used the crossing so the driver wasn’t at fault! The difference with European countries is that you are LEGALLY responsible for the lives of other road users. If you hit a pedestrian or cyclist, you are assumed responsible since you are the one with the potentially deadly weapon. Here in NZ when children are run over the driver is NEVER held responsible. In the US, of course, you will be on the recieving end of a law suit. Austalian drivers to me also seem much safer, I suspect because of much stronger law enforcement than NZ – hell, in SA you can get a ticket for putting your elbow out the window!