Some are quick to blame the government and boy racers.
The last study I heard of showed the worst drivers in New Zealand are males in SUVs because they are aggressive, the second are women in SUVs because they have little confidence nor awareness of the sense of the space occupied by the vehicle.
And let's not even blame the widely varying road conditions and New Zealand's topography.
No. "It is all the socialist government and boyracers. rant rant puff puff."
bestgames,
Feb 21, 9:47am
(I do love these perennial posts asking why NZ doesn't have open speed limits - conveniently dismissing the fact we do not actually have *autobahns*)
wasser61,
Feb 21, 10:15am
Getting a license in NZ from scratch is a joke. They are taught to memorise 25 questions and then a quick whip around the block. That is not a test to determine if you have the skill sets to drive a motor vehicle. While they have made some improvements, it is still to easy to get a license.
whqqsh,
Feb 21, 10:21am
When i went for my license (& that was quite some years ago) an Asian was testing for his with an interpreter. I asked the cop how does he know if or by how much the interpretter is helping him. He replied, "Im not happy about it either but I dont know, I have to take his word on it". I then asked how can this guy follow written road signs if he cant read english or communicate in case of an emergency. same answer. Sure tourists need a bit of leeway (before someone jumps onto that bandwagon) but residents should have at least a basic understanding.
rsr72,
Feb 21, 11:01am
#1- Not enough ticket income from higher speed limit, and, the Holdens would never cope.
gedo1,
Feb 21, 11:21am
There seems to be the impression that, in Germany, there are no speed limits.That is not correct - the fact is there are a few "autobahns" where the speed is not posted as a limit -you have to be able to prove that the speed you were travelling at when you were pulled by the Police (who can do so if they wish at any time and for any speed) was safe and reasonable in the prevailing circumstances.On most other roads there is a posted speed limit and in some cases these limits are in roads similar to our State Highway 1 and also in some cases they are LOWER than our 100kph.
johnf_456,
Feb 21, 11:31am
Incorrect, that was what it use to be like decades ago. Now days you sit your theory test, pass that. You get what is called a learners permit, you can only drive with supervision and L plates. I.e you cannot drive alone without supervision.
You hold that for a min of 6 months then you can progress to the restricted. With the restricted you can only drive alone unless under supervision and passengers are a no no. Times have sure changed since you looked at it. Which has a practical driving test associated with it also, then later on down the track you can apply for you full after 18 months.
It is not as simple as sitting the test and one drive around the block anymore, as you make out. It is not 25 questions either.
Since 1965 the maximum speed limit on any UK road has been 70 mph (113 km/h). This limit now only applies to otherwise unrestricted motorways and dual-carriageways, and only to cars (including car-derived vans) up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight (MLW), to motorcycles, to buses, coaches and minibuses up to 12 metres (39 ft) in length and to goods vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes MLW.
adw17,
Feb 21, 12:05pm
Despite being appointed to the Ministry of Transport, a role which she was originally unenthusiastic about, Barbara Castle could not actually drive herself, and was chauffeured to functions.
elect70,
Feb 21, 2:36pm
Wont happen herelook at thepokeno - thamesroadbuilt couple years ago but consideredunsafe byPTBto drive on it at 100k .Moreroads are getting same treatment, soonerrather than later thenational speed limit will drop to 90 keverywhere .Boy will they bag some $$$ out of that, could pay off the national debt .
socram,
Feb 21, 2:54pm
It cracks me up when I see that it takes a couple of years to get a full licence.The length of time you are driving has no direct relationship whatever to the expertise - or lack of it.
I passed my UK test (eventually) after a total of just six hours car driving experience (all with a registered driving instructor in a dual control car and much of it in City traffic).Having ridden a push-bike, then a year on a motorbike, I would like to think that I was aware of the road and traffic conditions, (and still am) but above all, I was respectful of the law and the rules of the road - and my father insisted I show courtesy and consideration to other road users at all times. What I see every day around here is people of all ages who have no lane discipline, who never ever let anyone out of a side road or a parking space, who have no idea what the indicators are for, who join the motorway at 55kph, who never use their mirrors etc etc.Some haveprobably been driving many years and yes, often they gained their licences in the Islands, Fiji or Asia, but there are many home grown drivers who are just as guilty. I'd be far happier if the police concentrated on warning people for their poor (though not necessary illegal) driving to lift the standard, than pinging them for 5kph over the limit.
Has anyone here ever known of anyone pulled over and given a talking to rather than a ticket in recent times!
Many boy racers are far better drivers than many older people - but they just choose to drive like prats - because they can get away with it.
kazbanz,
Feb 21, 3:23pm
Hey monfor someone coming here from UK,auzzie and some other countries with basicly our road rules then yes it was/is pretty easy to get a licence IF you already have a liucence from that country. Not quite so easy if you start from scratch. They assume you already can drive and have been driving up to nz standards
richard198,
Feb 21, 3:34pm
Was that due to cost cutting ! If the same people who build them, also do the repairs, then built in obselesence would be profitable!
whqqsh,
Feb 21, 3:34pm
'ASSUME"! thats the first mistake, have you heard the well know phrase 'assumption is the mother of all f**k-ups' & 'if you assume you make an ASS out of U and ME'
johnf_456,
Feb 21, 4:34pm
Watch your language.
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