Thread: Outing a couple members.......

Tweet

I agree with the points raised by both both Roger and Mark; although I'm not too sure about Roger's theory on wrong-side-of-road-head-on crashes.
I've driven on your roads a few times; and have frightened the living bejabbers out of myself on more than one occasion, due to my instinct to drive on the left kicking in.

Another valid reason for not driving a V8 is the cost of our gasoline: NZ$7.70 per gallon.
Approximately US$5.40. (Although the exchange rate fluctuates, and at the moment we're tipped to devalue against the US$ making your US$ able to buy more.)
So a V8 gets pretty expensive to run!

You'll find NZ hot-rodders a pretty egalitarian bunch; (especially if they're NSRA or Maverick affiliates,) who will welcome you and be only too happy to make your trip here an enjoyable one.

(And we need your overseas funds! Bring [and spend] lots of money!)

Originally Posted by johnboy

I agree with the points raised by both both Roger and Mark; although I'm not too sure about Roger's theory on wrong-side-of-road-head-on crashes.
I've driven on your roads a few times; and have frightened the living bejabbers out of myself on more than one occasion, due to my instinct to drive on the left kicking in......

John, my "theory" is based on a NZ newspaper article that you sent to us shortly after we returned to the US late last year, where you stated "....perhaps I'm a bit too sensitive...." regarding tourists driving. A recent report points out that accidents involving tourists seem to get a lot more attention in the news than do accidents involving only locals, and also that a significant proportion seem to be caused by visitors from the China/Asia region that are simply inexperienced drivers - Tourist driver mayhem 'hype' | Radio New Zealand News'

There's no question that one must be extra attentive, and not distracted by the scenery while in control of the vehicle, but my observation was that your roadways had a lot more features to help the tourist, like large painted arrows in the correct lane when leaving most scenic stops, than we have in the US. About the only thing we have here are the "Wrong Way" or "Do Not Enter" signs on ramps for our interstate highways, and other controlled access multi-lane highways. You don't see anything like that on secondary roadways through lesser traveled areas.

The biggest "difference" that I saw (and the cause for most concern) is in the cities & towns. Roundabouts are a bit of a challenge, but the biggest (to me) is simply making turns at intersections and fighting the urge to bear right while remembering to always look to the right when pulling away from a stop, where we're used to the most danger coming from the left. I'm not trying to argue, just pointing out that there are a lot of folks who come to Australia/NZ every year and do just fine driving on your roadways, along with some that sadly don't make it back home.