Kiwi driving..getting worse!!
Jun 5th 2009, 8:17 pm
#106
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,298
Re: Kiwi driving..getting worse!!
I've been reading this discussion with interest and many have made good points. I would just add that it doesn't matter how good a driver you are, it's not you who is the problem - it's the other bad driver. And, it only takes one bad driver to meet you on the road and wham!
I think there's really no excuse for bad driving anywhere and especially in a civilised country such as NZ. There should be much stricter penalties for bad driving. That's a start. Better driver education as well, and not simply acceptance of such driving behaviour.
I agree that there are many smaller things that you can get used to here, but careless driving is not one of them and we should never simply accept something that kills.
I think there's really no excuse for bad driving anywhere and especially in a civilised country such as NZ. There should be much stricter penalties for bad driving. That's a start. Better driver education as well, and not simply acceptance of such driving behaviour.
I agree that there are many smaller things that you can get used to here, but careless driving is not one of them and we should never simply accept something that kills.
Jun 5th 2009, 9:32 pm
#107
TeamEmbo
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Rangiora
Posts: 1,557
Re: Kiwi driving..getting worse!!
I've had two car accidents, one in UK and one in NZ, neither of which were my fault. The one in the UK I was waiting at a red light behind a learner driver. She was an older lady in a Red Cross uniform being taught to drive by her similarly aged lady friend. I was actually some distance behind her with the handbrake on waiting for the lights to change. I'd kept my distance because of the L plates. When the light changed to green, rather than pulling away she reversed into the front of my car. I was shaken and in disbelief but she was elderly and a learner and quick clearly shaken. I wasn't far from my parents house so after making sure the other driver was ok I went to get my dad. When I returned, not only had the L plates been removed but the elderly friend was claiming it was her that was driving and that I had rammed into the back of them. Being two elderly ladies in Red Cross uniforms guess who got believed? I was speechless at their actions and lies and got stung for the damages.
My accident here I was driving home from shopping and passed through a well lit intersection, my right of way and I was not speeding. One minute I had a clear road, the next I banged into the side of a 4WD that had been driving in the opposite direction, hadn't seen me and had turned right, straight across my path. It was two Kiwi lads, aged about 18 or 19. I got out and collapsed with shock at the side of the road and was instantly surrounded by locals from their houses who wrapped me in blankets, rang my husband and generally took charge (all Kiwis). The lads stopped and came over, apologised and waiting for my husband and the police. They were breathalised, which was negative. He had 3rd party insurance which covered the $4,500 damage to my car. The driver rang by husband the next day to apologise again and see if I was ok. He came round to my house a couple of weeks later again to apologise and see if I was ok. He was fined $150 for failing to give way. When he sees my husband out and about round town he still asks if I'm ok. I don't blame him. Anyone can have a momentary lapse, even the best of drivers. I had two prolapsed discs in my neck and had to give up my job as it involved a lot of heavy lifting. There was no compensation. But to be honest I'm just fine with that because out of the two accidents I've had, he was polite and curteous and put his hand up to it.
My accident here I was driving home from shopping and passed through a well lit intersection, my right of way and I was not speeding. One minute I had a clear road, the next I banged into the side of a 4WD that had been driving in the opposite direction, hadn't seen me and had turned right, straight across my path. It was two Kiwi lads, aged about 18 or 19. I got out and collapsed with shock at the side of the road and was instantly surrounded by locals from their houses who wrapped me in blankets, rang my husband and generally took charge (all Kiwis). The lads stopped and came over, apologised and waiting for my husband and the police. They were breathalised, which was negative. He had 3rd party insurance which covered the $4,500 damage to my car. The driver rang by husband the next day to apologise again and see if I was ok. He came round to my house a couple of weeks later again to apologise and see if I was ok. He was fined $150 for failing to give way. When he sees my husband out and about round town he still asks if I'm ok. I don't blame him. Anyone can have a momentary lapse, even the best of drivers. I had two prolapsed discs in my neck and had to give up my job as it involved a lot of heavy lifting. There was no compensation. But to be honest I'm just fine with that because out of the two accidents I've had, he was polite and curteous and put his hand up to it.
Jun 5th 2009, 11:56 pm
#108
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,008
Re: Kiwi driving..getting worse!!
Mine too.
I would add that when you get your licence you should be required to do a defensive driving course before the licence is issued.
And everyone convicted of a driving offence should redo it.
Supervision and Community work sentences should always be considered and that should include voluntary work at accident scenes, accident and emergency departments or operating theatres cleaning up after road trauma.
Paying reparation should be a must even if it takes years to pay off.
Jun 7th 2009, 5:40 am
#109
Give us a kiss
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Peka Peka - Kapiti Coast - Nice!
Posts: 3,140
Re: Kiwi driving..getting worse!!
I've had two car accidents, one in UK and one in NZ, neither of which were my fault. The one in the UK I was waiting at a red light behind a learner driver. She was an older lady in a Red Cross uniform being taught to drive by her similarly aged lady friend. I was actually some distance behind her with the handbrake on waiting for the lights to change. I'd kept my distance because of the L plates. When the light changed to green, rather than pulling away she reversed into the front of my car. I was shaken and in disbelief but she was elderly and a learner and quick clearly shaken. I wasn't far from my parents house so after making sure the other driver was ok I went to get my dad. When I returned, not only had the L plates been removed but the elderly friend was claiming it was her that was driving and that I had rammed into the back of them. Being two elderly ladies in Red Cross uniforms guess who got believed? I was speechless at their actions and lies and got stung for the damages.
My accident here I was driving home from shopping and passed through a well lit intersection, my right of way and I was not speeding. One minute I had a clear road, the next I banged into the side of a 4WD that had been driving in the opposite direction, hadn't seen me and had turned right, straight across my path. It was two Kiwi lads, aged about 18 or 19. I got out and collapsed with shock at the side of the road and was instantly surrounded by locals from their houses who wrapped me in blankets, rang my husband and generally took charge (all Kiwis). The lads stopped and came over, apologised and waiting for my husband and the police. They were breathalised, which was negative. He had 3rd party insurance which covered the $4,500 damage to my car. The driver rang by husband the next day to apologise again and see if I was ok. He came round to my house a couple of weeks later again to apologise and see if I was ok. He was fined $150 for failing to give way. When he sees my husband out and about round town he still asks if I'm ok. I don't blame him. Anyone can have a momentary lapse, even the best of drivers. I had two prolapsed discs in my neck and had to give up my job as it involved a lot of heavy lifting. There was no compensation. But to be honest I'm just fine with that because out of the two accidents I've had, he was polite and curteous and put his hand up to it.
My accident here I was driving home from shopping and passed through a well lit intersection, my right of way and I was not speeding. One minute I had a clear road, the next I banged into the side of a 4WD that had been driving in the opposite direction, hadn't seen me and had turned right, straight across my path. It was two Kiwi lads, aged about 18 or 19. I got out and collapsed with shock at the side of the road and was instantly surrounded by locals from their houses who wrapped me in blankets, rang my husband and generally took charge (all Kiwis). The lads stopped and came over, apologised and waiting for my husband and the police. They were breathalised, which was negative. He had 3rd party insurance which covered the $4,500 damage to my car. The driver rang by husband the next day to apologise again and see if I was ok. He came round to my house a couple of weeks later again to apologise and see if I was ok. He was fined $150 for failing to give way. When he sees my husband out and about round town he still asks if I'm ok. I don't blame him. Anyone can have a momentary lapse, even the best of drivers. I had two prolapsed discs in my neck and had to give up my job as it involved a lot of heavy lifting. There was no compensation. But to be honest I'm just fine with that because out of the two accidents I've had, he was polite and curteous and put his hand up to it.
Unbelievable!
Jun 8th 2009, 3:56 am
#110
Happy in Wellington
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Tawa, Wellington, Aotearoa
Posts: 2,286
Re: Kiwi driving..getting worse!!
Okay all you perfect drivers 
See how you do on this:
http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/licensi...s/default.aspx
I got 8/10
Got a question on distances wrong and a smoky exhaust question.
See how you do on this:
http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/licensi...s/default.aspx
I got 8/10
Got a question on distances wrong and a smoky exhaust question.
Jun 8th 2009, 4:34 am
#111
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,298
Re: Kiwi driving..getting worse!!
Okay all you perfect drivers
See how you do on this:
http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/licensi...s/default.aspx
I got 8/10
Got a question on distances wrong and a smoky exhaust question.
See how you do on this:
http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/licensi...s/default.aspx
I got 8/10
Got a question on distances wrong and a smoky exhaust question.
