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-   -   Kiwi drivers (https://britishexpats.com/forum/new-zealand-83/kiwi-drivers-825672/)

madao Feb 20th 2014 12:48 am

Kiwi drivers
 
Some of you may remember I had a car written off last year a few months after buying after some idiot reversed in to it in a car park.

Yet again i've had my car damaged in a car park but this time no idea who the culprit is as they decided to scarper.

Even more annoying is the $150 its just cost me for the shyster garage to fix the front bumper back in to place. $90 for labor, $35 for "materials and tools" and, really taking the piss, $3 for 3x washers + GST on the lot.

:angry_smile:

Rant over

Mark Smith Feb 20th 2014 1:15 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Oh bugger.
Try parking as far away at the back of the car park. Always much quieter and less Mr Magoo's.

Tom1983 Feb 20th 2014 1:18 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Oh my favourite discussion of topic

It must have been a tourist, definitely not a kiwi driver - they'd never do something like that

There was a report in the press about a judge complaining of foreign tourists not driving properly. I see they didn't mention about Kiwi driving standards - then again, 50 sheets of paper would be required if that was the case

Actually

It would be your fault for leaving the car in a place where it can get damaged. Kiwi drivers can never do wrong, it's always the foreigners fault! Even if they can't read road signs properly, they're right - jolly foreigner wrong!

madao Feb 20th 2014 1:43 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
I'm not sure whats annoyed me more, the driver or the garage.

Hokey-pokey Feb 20th 2014 3:30 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Agree driving standards are very poor but they are noticeably worse in touristy areas. Have you ever driven around the Queenstown/ Te Anau area? Honestly we were driving in fear the whole time we were down there over Xmas. The camper vans/ rental vehicles drifting across the centre lanes, cars cruising at 60km an hour in 100km zones - the drivers all busy rubber necking - leaning out of windows filming/taking photos, instead of pulling over to do so. We had to take evasive action more than once. Am not defending kiwi drivers by the way. My kids will go on defensive driving courses when they're ready to learn to drive, these should be compulsory IMO.
http://www.aa.co.nz/drivers/driving-...riving-courses

BEVS Feb 20th 2014 3:39 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Our vehicle has been pranged 3 times in car parks over the past ten years . The first time was just a couple of days after we bought the car. 2 were hit and run. One prang, we were actually sitting in the car when it was reversed into with a mighty ke-thump. The driver tried to wriggle out and did not have insurance.

Get this. Today I came down the R60 which ends with a roundabout. I need to take a left turn out onto the R6. As I approached I became aware of a car actually stopped on the roundabout just to the right of my approach. It hadn't broken down. The driver had decided to stop & was waving forward cars out of their respective turnings before finishing it's trundle off the roundabout. :lol:

No idea what nationality 3 of the drivers were. Today's roundabout moment was a banged up ute type affair. The non-insurance reverse job was a Kiwi

I've also been on the receiving end of an oncoming car necking it at me , completely on the wrong side of the road, having overtaken the car in front of it on a bend. Obviously cannot state this as absolute fact, but that vehicle looked very much local to me.

Accidents happen of course. I know. I've been in a bad RTA smash in the UK when I was young. Two lorries playing tag on an empty motorway. Result - not good for the Austin 1100 and the pair inside.

I have to say though, that I am consistently alarmed at the driving standards here. I no longer get in cars with some of my pals as drivers because I value what's left of my life. :lol: Why has it always got to be max speed at all times. Pull out in front. Tail gate . Overtake at peril.

Just wish something could be done to help raise awareness to make the roads a safer place for all.

BEVS Feb 20th 2014 3:40 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Just seen this.


Originally Posted by Hokey-pokey (Post 11138441)
My kids will go on defensive driving courses when they're ready to learn to drive, these should be compulsory IMO.
http://www.aa.co.nz/drivers/driving-...riving-courses

Good on you. :thumbup: Will help keep them safe.

Purrball Feb 20th 2014 4:14 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Haven't owned or driven a car for about 20 years, but coming the other way from New Zealand to the UK in the late 80s, I found UK drivers incredibly disciplined and courteous. They stopped to let people in and even more remarkably, stopped for pedestrian crossings. And the few lessons I took here in London for a short while to get up to speed here (for work) were far stricter about the fundamentals: mirrors, handbrake use, hill starts, parallel parking and hands on the steering wheel.

In the 70s and 80s in New Zealand, most people my age informally learned driving from parents or older siblings, in the backstreets of suburbs or in supermarket car parks. It seemed quite rare for people to have formal lessons, getting your licence wasn't particularly difficult, especially more so for motorbikes which I also rode for a while. Wondering whether things haven't changed that much.

barnsleymat Feb 20th 2014 5:08 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
What is it with Kiwi's and roundabouts, they seem totally unaware of what to do. They don't seem to know how to indicate correctly, they don't give way properly, no idea which is the correct lane. Totally baffles me why something so simple causes so much confusion. There's no big complicated roundabout with traffic lights, bus lanes or pedestrian crossings like other countries, roundabouts are usually 4 exits/entry ones.

Lets not get started on tailgaters.

Hokey-pokey Feb 20th 2014 5:17 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by Purrball (Post 11138486)

In the 70s and 80s in New Zealand, most people my age informally learned driving from parents or older siblings, in the backstreets of suburbs or in supermarket car parks. .

:D So true! I learnt to drive on a rugby field! The players survived.

BEVS Feb 20th 2014 5:48 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
HeHe.

My Dad took me out to Holmsley old wartime airfield in the New Forest (use google) when I was in my young teens to teach me to drive. :wub: It was an old Vanguard, reg. TLB17 which he had hand-painted grey & I spent 2 days in the rain with him whilst he fixed the horn and the indicators.
Had to stick blocks on the peddles to reach & use cushions to see out.

I loved it ! I really did. Thinking back to that, I still love that we did that. Would love to have one moment to do it all again with him.

Of course, that was for the doing of , not for the licence. :lol:

I had the usual 20+ lessons later when I was older and then the scary test + highway code.

Years after I took defensive driving and also the advanced driving course.

scrubbedexpat094 Feb 20th 2014 6:21 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Don't get me started on this topic :banghead: OH is needing treatment on his left eye since that numpty hit us in January.:mad:

alan83 Feb 20th 2014 7:09 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
I'm due to be arriving in May and I've been looking on TradeMe for a possible car but on reading this I'm thinking I may be better on my own 2 feet lol

Tom1983 Feb 20th 2014 7:38 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
We don't need indicators, as long as we have a steering wheel and our car can go forward and backwards - that's all we need

Mirrors are a complete waste of time. We can go whenever we want to

Oh and tailgaters are just curious to see what radio station you've got on. They'll happily tailgate if its a radio station that they like - just so they can hear your record being played. What's that, someones got Lorde on or Gerry McCormack is doing the thinking - I must listen

Plus we're perfect drivers. It's not your fault you come from a country that cannot drive. Now lets get back to showing you how to park New Zealand style - see the lines of space, park diagonally blocking the other 2 spaces from being used. There you go, you have passed the how to park like a kiwi test

MrsFychan Feb 20th 2014 8:29 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Queenstown and the way out up to Franz Josef I have never seen such awful driving. On the way up to Franz Josef we were nearly taken out by an Asian driver who just didn't bother looking to see if there was anyone on the main road before pulling out, the fact that his door was also ajar just made me more mad.

Queenstown a driver pulled across ongoing traffic which was chancing his arm with just the car but he had a blinkin trailer attached that nearly took another car out.

Ridiculous

moonie2011 Feb 23rd 2014 3:15 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by barnsleymat (Post 11138513)
What is it with Kiwi's and roundabouts, they seem totally unaware of what to do. They don't seem to know how to indicate correctly, they don't give way properly, no idea which is the correct lane. Totally baffles me why something so simple causes so much confusion. There's no big complicated roundabout with traffic lights, bus lanes or pedestrian crossings like other countries, roundabouts are usually 4 exits/entry ones.

Lets not get started on tailgaters.

OMG YES, so approaching the roundabout to turn right, 3rd exit. Lane I'm in the right lane, it says right in arrow form, the left lane says left and straight ahead and yet they still go all the way round the r/about in the left lane and take the 3rd exit, THEN they speed up and don't let you into the left lane so I can take the fast approaching left turn I need!!!! :angry_smile:

Stormer999 Feb 23rd 2014 5:36 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Ah but don't forget.....all drivers are better than average!;)

Fair plays Bevs for going out and making the effort to ensure you really are :thumbup:

Charismatic Feb 23rd 2014 5:58 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
I enjoy driving in New Zealand. When we get a hot Sunday afternoon sometimes dog and I just like to take a little trip to a local river for a swim. I enjoy the gentle gravel roads and listening to some Melvyn Bragg on the radio, dog quite enjoys sticking her head out of the window. We wave at all the country folk as we pass, dog feels the need to show a special alertness at rabbits and possums on the road. There is little more pleasant and relaxing than that soft calling of the rural roads.

pippalonghorn Feb 23rd 2014 8:44 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by Charismatic (Post 11143631)
I enjoy driving in New Zealand. When we get a hot Sunday afternoon sometimes dog and I just like to take a little trip to a local river for a swim. I enjoy the gentle gravel roads and listening to some Melvyn Bragg on the radio, dog quite enjoys sticking her head out of the window. We wave at all the country folk as we pass, dog feels the need to show a special alertness at rabbits and possums on the road. There is little more pleasant and relaxing than that soft calling of the rural roads.

Youre dog may actually prove to be a better driver than half of the numptees on the roads. :sneaky:

jmh Feb 23rd 2014 10:54 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by Charismatic (Post 11143631)
I enjoy driving in New Zealand. When we get a hot Sunday afternoon sometimes dog and I just like to take a little trip to a local river for a swim. I enjoy the gentle gravel roads and listening to some Melvyn Bragg on the radio, dog quite enjoys sticking her head out of the window. We wave at all the country folk as we pass, dog feels the need to show a special alertness at rabbits and possums on the road. There is little more pleasant and relaxing than that soft calling of the rural roads.

Really? What station is that on then?

Charismatic Feb 24th 2014 9:25 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by jmh (Post 11144755)
Really? What station is that on then?

I broadcast it from my mobile telephone to the cars radio. There is a BBC application for Windows phones called "Listen Again" that lets you podcast everything from BBC radio.

Radio 4 in other words.

Charismatic Feb 24th 2014 9:39 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by pippalonghorn (Post 11144585)
Youre dog may actually prove to be a better driver than half of the numptees on the roads. :sneaky:

Yet apparently this argument does not hold sway with the police when the dog is caught driving you home from the pub :thumbdown:. It's a conspiracy between Google, Police and Illuminati to make you wait for Google to invent a self drive car before you can have a mini-bar built into the dashboard.

BEVS Feb 24th 2014 7:34 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

pippalonghorn Feb 24th 2014 8:24 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Where is Porters 'coffee to go' and his 'mobile phone'. Surely he should have at least one of them in his hand. ;)

BEVS Feb 24th 2014 8:28 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by pippalonghorn (Post 11146268)
Where is Porters 'coffee to go' and his 'mobile phone'. Surely he should have at least one of them in his hand.

You answered this yourself. :sneaky:


Originally Posted by pippalonghorn
Your dog may actually prove to be a better driver than half of the numptees on the roads


pippalonghorn Feb 24th 2014 8:30 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Ah yes I did! :huh:

HairyScot Feb 22nd 2015 12:33 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by barnsleymat (Post 11138513)
What is it with Kiwi's and roundabouts, they seem totally unaware of what to do. They don't seem to know how to indicate correctly, they don't give way properly, no idea which is the correct lane. Totally baffles me why something so simple causes so much confusion. There's no big complicated roundabout with traffic lights, bus lanes or pedestrian crossings like other countries, roundabouts are usually 4 exits/entry ones.

Lets not get started on tailgaters.

Is well as being clueless at roundabouts, the average kiwi driver has no idea of the correct procedure when turning onto a two lane carriageway, has no idea how to drive on a motorway, and has no idea of the correct position to take when waiting at a junction.

In addition they have the reactions and the road sense of blancmanges.

Snap Shot Feb 22nd 2015 1:14 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Behold, this thread is risen !

Nearly a year to the day of the last post ! Hey, let's do this to an old thread on it's anniversary every year.

Stormer999 Feb 22nd 2015 1:52 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
Boring......:thumbdown:

Blade Down Under Feb 22nd 2015 3:00 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by HairyScot (Post 11572361)
Is well as being clueless at roundabouts, the average kiwi driver has no idea of the correct procedure when turning onto a two lane carriageway, has no idea how to drive on a motorway, and has no idea of the correct position to take when waiting at a junction.

In addition they have the reactions and the road sense of blancmanges.

Try merging in turn with them.

Or my favourite, they go 80kmh on single way but as soon as you come to a passing lane, they speed up to 110kmh.

Stormer999 Feb 22nd 2015 5:11 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
OK when someone is driving a motor vehicle how do you tell their Nationality....:blink: "They" maybe from any country in the World but some on here seem to have the ability to "know" they are Kiwi which will automatically mean they are not as good at driving as the ones complaining....:thumbdown:

cappuccino Feb 22nd 2015 7:46 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
... and don't forget those muppets who think nothing of getting in their car and driving drunk/stoned :eek:

mikelincs Feb 22nd 2015 8:09 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by Mark Smith (Post 11138326)
Oh bugger.
Try parking as far away at the back of the car park. Always much quieter and less Mr Magoo's.

May not always work, my ex was parked in a 400 place car park, and there was only one other car there quite a distance from her.. Still she managed to back into it..:rofl::rofl:

Hazelnut Feb 22nd 2015 8:56 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
The one that scares me is the rules about when a driver is turning left from a minor road onto a highway. I'm quite possibly wrong and confused but did it used to be that highway drivers had to stop to let the other driver out and it's now changed but most drivers don't know it's changed?
When we were over fact finding we were extra careful to keep an eye in case anyone suddenly pulled out into the highway from our left when we were coming down it doing 95.

Bo-Jangles Feb 22nd 2015 10:01 am

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
The stoopid left turn rule was scrapped ages ago and honestly you would never know that it ever existed - people took to the new and improved way overnight and there was a lot of fuss about nothing.

My biggest bugbear is the car park dodgem games where the use of the laning is purely optional, why the heck can't people stick to driving in the clearly marked lanes and stop cutting across lanes to take a short-cut or hop over to a space closer to the blooming shop. They come at you from all blooming angles. :thumbdown:

garethwm Feb 22nd 2015 5:20 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by Hazelnut (Post 11572572)
The one that scares me is the rules about when a driver is turning left from a minor road onto a highway. I'm quite possibly wrong and confused but did it used to be that highway drivers had to stop to let the other driver out and it's now changed but most drivers don't know it's changed?
When we were over fact finding we were extra careful to keep an eye in case anyone suddenly pulled out into the highway from our left when we were coming down it doing 95.

No, that has never been the rule. That would lead to absolute carnage. Lol.

MrsFychan Feb 22nd 2015 5:50 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
the rules changed in around March/April 2012, as I had only a few weeks of having to stop on a main road to let cars turning right, crossing in front of me, turn. bloody stupid and dangerous rule.

Woodlea Feb 22nd 2015 5:53 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 

Originally Posted by MrsFychan (Post 11572993)
the rules changed in around March/April 2012, as I had only a few weeks of having to stop on a main road to let cars turning right, crossing in front of me, turn. bloody stupid and dangerous rule.

Only if you were turning left.

MrsFychan Feb 22nd 2015 6:51 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
if I was on main road and someone in the opposite direction wanted to cross and turn right I had to stop on the main road and let them turn right, across my path if I wanted to turn left - yes.

Persephone Feb 22nd 2015 7:11 pm

Re: Kiwi drivers
 
You only had to stop and give them right of way if you were turning left into the same road. You didn't have to stop if you were driving along the road and not turning off:p
They probably thought you were exceptionally polite at stopping for them!
It's something I do if I'm in slow moving or stopped traffic as a courtesy [aarrggh reminded me of idiots who are in stopped traffic but block junctions:frown:]but not if I have a clear road.


Ooops should read the post properly! That's what you said you did:o


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