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Thread ID: 87356 2008-02-18 05:51:00 Are New Zealanders Bad Drivers? legod (4626) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
641415 2008-02-18 08:18:00 I live in the wop wops but have recently visited Orks a lot and I think the driving has improved enormously. (As a rough indicator of NZ driving). Perhaps we are all becoming of age - in that we have (slowly) learnt that we need to co-operate to make the traffic work. mark c (247)
641416 2008-02-18 08:23:00 Most kiwi drivers (and I include "new" kiwis in that categorisation) would not get a license in Europe if they drove like they do here!

nofam has got it in one: get a motorcycle license as a first step and you will appreciate how big a gap actually is, your speed relative to others, overtaking distances (and how deceiving they are), and the fact that one nasty bang will mean the end of you.
johcar (6283)
641417 2008-02-18 09:13:00 They are, but to be fair, MOST of them - definitely not all.:D

When I just arrived in NZ 20 yrs ago, my first impression was: what the heck's this, what a bunch of reckless, inconsiderate idiots driving all those junk, badly maintained cars running like drunkards on the road! Just like a lawless third world country! Warrant of Fitness checks was a real joke - all one has to do was to pay $5 to any corner garage mechanic and he will issue you a sticker! No wonder there were so many junks on the road! Oil leaks in cars were too common - was told that it's cheaper just to top up the oil rather than getting it repaired.
bk T (215)
641418 2008-02-18 09:41:00 World's worst drivers? From Eastern Europe and Middle East. Greg (193)
641419 2008-02-18 10:38:00 Watch out if you are around Dunedin ... I'm one of the bad ones :D gibler (49)
641420 2008-02-18 10:41:00 Abso****inglutely everywhere.

Yep. Happened constantly on my trip from Hamilton to Wellington yesterday. It annoys the heck out of me because it makes responsible people have to go far too fast in the passing lane to get past people who want to do 80 or 90.

The other thing I can't stand is people in cars far more powerful than your own who tailgate you dangerously in the passing lane when you're already at full throttle passing someone, presumably just to show you that they can...

But 99% of our problems, these included, stem from awful roads. Ideally (though of course this may never be the case and is likely impossible) SH1 should be two lanes ALL the way.
george12 (7)
641421 2008-02-18 18:26:00 But 99% of our problems, these included, stem from awful roads.

You can't blame the roads for bad driving.
People complain how bad the roads are here. They're not that bad at all. I can tell you that the state of the roads in the UK is in decline. I lost count of the number of dangerous potholes I encountered on my last trip.
legod (4626)
641422 2008-02-18 18:40:00 You can't blame the roads for bad driving.
Quite so. George evidently hasn't driven on too many 2nd and 3rd world country's roads.
Greg (193)
641423 2008-02-18 20:03:00 Yep. Happened constantly on my trip from Hamilton to Wellington yesterday. It annoys the heck out of me because it makes responsible people have to go far too fast in the passing lane to get past people who want to do 80 or 90.

The other thing I can't stand is people in cars far more powerful than your own who tailgate you dangerously in the passing lane when you're already at full throttle passing someone, presumably just to show you that they can...

But 99% of our problems, these included, stem from awful roads. Ideally (though of course this may never be the case and is likely impossible) SH1 should be two lanes ALL the way.

SH1 in the South Island includes numerous one-way bridges. If I remember correctly, there's even a single-lane bridge which doubles as a rail bridge.
somebody (208)
641424 2008-02-18 20:07:00 SH1 in the South Island includes numerous one-way bridges. If I remember correctly, there's even a single-lane bridge which doubles as a rail bridge.

There was, it was the worst bridge in the country. They just finished replacing (www.transit.govt.nz) it...

Anyone who has driven over the Awatere road/rail bridge will instantly recognize it in the second picture in that link, it was abysmal (i1.trekearth.com)!

But it is now finished, looks great (www.transit.govt.nz) too.
wratterus (105)
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