Driving safely on your New Zealand road trip
We may be boasting but New Zealand is one of the best places in the world for a road-trip.
Our roads wind through stunning scenery worthy of any Hollywood backdrop, past breath-taking views that force photo-stops, past pristine beaches and into picturesque villages, and vibrant towns and cities, where the welcome is waiting to be enjoyed.
With the beauty comes some local hints and tips about driving so everyone can enjoy their holiday in New Zealand without any problems.
Ensuring the safety of visiting drivers was the theme of a meeting in March this year set up by the Rental Vehicle Association of New Zealand (RVA) and the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ).
The result is an agreement by about 25 rental vehicle companies to develop a Code of Best Practice aimed at improving the safety of both visiting drivers and New Zealand road users.
The press release from the meeting “Rental vehicle companies working together to improve road safety” announced this will be developed as a matter of urgency and included the following action:
- Increased screening of driver experience at the time of hiring and at vehicle pick-up
- More pre-arrival information about New Zealand driving conditions
- Better information sharing between rental vehicle operators about visitors whose contracts have been cancelled
The step to develop a Code of Practice was welcomed by the AA, regarded as the leading advocate for NZ motorists and their interests and one of the world’s most respected motoring organisations, with its General Manager of Motoring Affairs, Mike Noon, saying:
“It is great to see the commitment to positive action from the CEOs and sector leaders. Getting the industry working together and supporting the actions being taken by the Government will achieve better road safety outcomes.”
It’s not that rental vehicle companies have not emphasised driver safety until now. TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts says in the same press release the Code of Best Practice will build on the extensive work already done to educate visiting drivers on what is different about driving in New Zealand.
One of the main initiatives has been the DriveSafe website, which is full of important and useful information for visiting drivers, with key messages translated in to Mandarin, German and French.
This website is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting New Zealand and renting a car.
Not only does it give great advice, practical hints and has an information packed safe driving video, it also features fantastic scenery and some typical Kiwi driving experiences to get you excited about your trip.
The site is all about enjoying your stay and being safe.
It even links to a NZ Transport Agency quiz, or driving test for tourists, so you can see how much you know about New Zealand’s road rules, signs and driving advice. Injecting fun into communicating essential information, is genius.
The most important advice on the DriveSafe website is listed below, most of which is described in detail in its driver safety video:
- Keep LEFT – we drive on the left hand side of the road.
- Always wear your seat belt – everyone in your vehicle must wear a seatbelt and children must be secured in an approved child seat. NZ Discount Car Rentals will rent you child seats if needed.
- Keep to the speed limit and always stop at STOP signs.
- Always slow down to observe recommended speeds around bends.
- Only overtake other vehicles when you are absolutely sure it’s safe to do so. Never cross a solid yellow line on your side of the centre line. This warns you against overtaking at that point.
- Stay well-rested and plan to drive only 1-2 hours at a time. Take regular breaks, have a walk and stretch your legs, plan a visit to an attraction, take a photo or enjoy a snack or meal.
- Drive to the conditions and you’ll need to reduce your speed if it’s raining, windy, icy or snowing, or if you are in an area of road works.
- Use a driving time and distance calculator or a GPS to estimate driving times. Driving in New Zealand can often take longer than expected because of our winding roads.
- Do not drink and drive. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime in New Zealand and strictly enforced by the police, with severe penalties for offenders.
- It’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving in New Zealand. If you need to make a call or send a text, pull over at a rest area or in a safe place.
- It’s recommended to stay a day and night in your arrival city so you can start your road trip rested and relaxed. Around 75 per cent of international visitors arrive through Auckland International Airport and the City of Auckland is an ideal place to stay and start your trip.
The New Zealand Government is also acutely aware of the need to ensure our visitors have fun while being safe when driving.
The recent focus on road safety has led to a Government announcement: South Island road safety work fast tracked, covering road improvements in some of the most popular tourist driving destinations in Otago, Southland and the West Coast of the South Island.
Like all other rental car companies New Zealand Discount Car Rentals takes driver safety, and each driver’s approach to driving, very seriously. We are as keen as anyone to make sure our visitors have a safe trip.
Our website provides hints and tips about enjoying a Kiwi style road trip – see our blog “The Tiki Tour – your New Zealand road trip,” which is full of advice about driving with much of it mirroring DriveSafe’s but with some additional points too.
Another focus is our customer service and we are proud that 40 per cent of our business is with repeat customers.
We love helping visitors enjoy driving around New Zealand and part of this is offering a fleet of high quality but cheap rental cars, from small hatchbacks to people movers and executive cars.
Our heritage is one of the best known car dealerships in the country, Mike Vinsen Motors, so we know a lot about cars, ensuring quality and reliability, servicing and that they meet all safety standards.
All these things are important when renting a car but if you can also get it at a lower price you have more to spend on other treats, adventures and luxuries.
Our expertise is part of the reason why we are one of the best in the business for value and quality.
Our prices start at $14.95 for a short term rental and could be as low as $9.95 a day for a minimum of 40 days. And being based near Auckland International Airport and close to the country’s largest City means there are plenty of places to stay and things to do early on in your stay so that you are rested before you go travelling.
Enjoy your trip, drive safely and always remember we drive on the LEFT.