10 Things you need to know about driving in New Zealand.

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DRIVING IN NEW ZEALAND One of the best ways to view the beauty of New Zealand is by taking a roadtrip. Here is a rundown of the top 10 things you need to know about driving in NZ and keeping safe on our roads! SOAP 1 DRIVE LEFT ON Most former British colonies drive on the left. This dates back to when swords were generally carried in the right hand, so people would pass each other on the left in order for their sword arm to be closest to the 100 other person. OPEN SPEED 2 LIMIT IS 100 km/h 3 SOME DIFFICULT DRIVING TERRAIN NZ has many narrow, hilly roads, and vary from motorways to gravel roads. Not all railway crossings have ACTIVE WARNING, so always look before driving over railway lines. WAY CROSSING DON'T It is illegal to use 5A HANHELD CELLPHONE while driving. If your overseas driver licence or permit isn't in English you must carry an accurate ENGLISH TRANSLATION in order to be able to drive in New Zealand, The translation must be provided by: A NZ Transport : Agency autho- rised translation A diplomatic repre- sentative at a high commission, embassy or consulate, service BE AWARE OF LEGAL ALCOHOL LIMITS The authority that issued your overseas ence (an International Driving Permit may be acceptable as a translation). There is a Currently the over 20yrs limit is ZERO ALCOHOL 400ug/L per litre of breath but this is being limit for under lowered on 1 Dec 2014 to 20's. 250. THIS WILL MEAN the average male will be over the & 4-6 beers the average female after 3-5 beers limit after TWO GIVE WAY RULE CHANGED ON 25 MARCH 2012 THE UNCONTROLLED T-INTERSECTION RULE LEFT-TURN VS RIGHT-TURN RULE Now:when turning into the same street as another car, the car turning right gives way to the car turning left. The person at the top of the 'T' goes first CHILD RESTRAINTS UP TO 7 YRS Children under 7yrs must be secured in an approved child restraint that is appropriate for their age and size. 10 TAKE A BREAK AND ENJOY THE SCENERY NZ roads take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the country, so take a break, step out of the car, and take in the beautiful scenery. Compulsory signs 50 REDUCE SPEED NOW NO ENTRY 25 km/h You must not turn left You must not make a U-turn You must not drive into this road You must not go faster than 50 km/h Turn right Keep left Keep going straight ahead Transit lane, which can only be used by passenger service vehicles, cycles, motorcycles and vehicles carrying at least the number of people displayed KEEP LEFT UNLESS PASSING GIVE WAY TRANSIT LANE STOP LANE You must keep left Bus lane that can also be used by cycles, motorcycles, mopeds 6AM - 10AM MON - FRI unless passing on the sign (eg T2 menas two or more people, T3 means three or more people) Temporary signs Roadworks Slips Left lane closed Gravel surface Stop on request Other hazard Permanent signs Ши 3-82m Clearance height advance warning Pedestrian crossing Look out for children Slippery surface Road narrows SOURCES 1. http://www.worldstandards.eu/cars/list-of-left-driving-countries/ 1. http://www.tescobank.com/insurance/carins/elh/why-do-we-drive-on-the-left.html 2. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/about-limits/speed-limits.html 2. http://www.aa.co.nz/about/safety-on-the-roads/safer-speeds/speed-limits/ 3. http://www.dangerousroads.org/new-zealand/55-skippers-canyon-road-new-zealand.html 3, 10. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/residents-visitors/driving-nz.html 3, 4, 5. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/around-nz/visitors.html#driving 6. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/56/new-residents-and-visitors-driving-in-new-zealand.html 7. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/about-limits/alcohol-and-drugs-limits.html 7. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/bill-lower-adult-drink-drive-limit-introduced 8. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/around-nz/road-user-rule.html 9. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/students-parents/child-restraints.html отega rental cars SOAP Up front and honest! www.omegarentalcars.co.nz CO