Driving Blues and News

After driving here for more than a month, I’ve come to realize that there are a few things drivers should know before committing to being a road warrior.  First off, the roads are mostly paved but usually never more than 2 lanes, one in each direction. And they are windy, not windy, you know, curvy. Generally this wouldn’t be an issue in the US but here, no one wants to pass slow vehicles (everything from tractors to logging trucks) until they reach a passing lane. Not that there aren’t plenty of legal opportunities to pass, they just don’t do it. As a result, you get behind a line of cars 4-7 deep waiting for the passing lane where 2 cars can get around whatever is crawling up the hill.

Now let’s talk about the speed limit. The limit here is 100kph (60mph) almost everywhere except through towns and school areas. And, 100kph means 100kph, not 105kph which I found out the hard way. Yes I got a speeding ticket for doing 5kph over the limit of 50kph, that’s 3mph to us folks from the US. A phrase that starts with “chicken_ _ _ _” comes to mind. Anyway, they do accept credit card payments (with a processing fee) so you don’t have to appear in court.

Finally, the road construction. I thought the US was bad but in NZ, I want the contract to put cones out for road construction! If you live in NZ and don’t work road construction, you’re missing a career! Every, no exaggeration, every road is under construction. I’m going out on a limb here by saying there may have been 2 roads in all our driving that didn’t have a 30kph construction sign. And don’t think for a minute that Google Maps had added all that extra time to your journey. If they say 3hrs, make it 4, and try to limit your liquid intake so you don’t have to make unscheduled stops.

The roads are in great condition but that’s because they are constantly working on them. Add that to the never-ending chain of logging trucks, rental campers, bicyclers, gawkers, and others just out for a day’s drive and you have the perfect storm. One good thing about the logging trucks, soon every tree in NZ will be gone and there won’t be a need for those trucks.

Non-stop logging trucks on every possible road in NZ!