From: bill@waikato.ac.nz
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: Beware the push bikers
Date: 19 Nov 92 11:57:36 +1300
Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

In article <1ed003INNgj8@golem.wcc.govt.nz>, bennett_w@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz (William Francis Bennett) writes:
> All this talk of cycle helmets reminds me of a pet groan: the general level of
> driving skills in New Zealand. Frankly, Kiwi drivers are worse than Italians or
> even the French.
> 
> Now before I'm flamed to medium rare let's qualify my statement.
> 
> About six months after arriving in New Zealand, I got into a heated debate on
> this subject with a bunch of journalists one night after work in the pub. They
> had a number of excuses to hand (a bit too quickly to hand too if you ask me).
> 
> Ah yes, they said, but our roads are particularly difficult. Have you seen the
> driving conditions? And a myriad of other assorted nonsense.
> 
> The most memorable arguement was that Kiwis drive so much further than other
> nations, so they are bound to have accidents.
> 
> I pointed out that the roads were a sight emptier here than in say, London.
> 
> Anyway, to cut a long story short, the following day some statistics appeared
> in the newspaper office from the MOT. They said that Kiwis are five times as
> likely to be involved in a fatal accident for every mile driven as the European
> average. A few days later some stats from an insurance company said much the
> same. In other words, its true - driving is more dangerous here.
> 
> The apologists started trying to explain this. Oh, but we have so many drunk
> drivers, they said as if that was some kind of badge of pride.
>  
> Maybe. But the drink drive limit is low here. Poms drive drunk all the time, in
> mediterranean countries drunk driving seems compulsory.
>  
> Now, after five years in New Zealand I know the reasons. Put an average Kiwi
> behind the wheel of the car and something like the special effects scene in Dr
> Jekyll and Mr Hyde takes place. Mild mannered people become demons. Kiwi
> drivers aren't just rude, they are positively suicidal. Even close friends have
> scared me to death giving me a lift across town.
> 
> Ok. I know this won't make me popular in Netland. But really this is a national
> problem of the first water. Road accidents are the major killer of young men.
> So short of banning cars what do you think should be done?
> 
> **** HOLD THE FRONT PAGE **** EX-PAT POM JOURNO IN KIWI LOVE NEST SAGA **** 
>                                                                               
> William Francis Bennett                  | You cannot hope to bribe or twist, 
> BENNETT_W@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz             | Thank God!, The British Journalist
> PO Box 2613, Wellington, New Zealand     | But seeing what that man will do
> Fax: 64/4/499-3431                       | Unbribed, there's no occasion to.
> _____________________________________________________________________________       


All this conjecturing and waving of statistics about how bad New Zealand
direvers is rather pointless. Until you show me a comprehensive study that
compares road conditions, road densities, age of cars, etc. etc. between
countries I'll just ignore anyone who quotes a single statistic. I've
driven in Europe and in North America. I've just arrived back from
one month's driving around between Toronto, Boston and New York. Now
that was scary. And I spent most of my time out on wide open freeways.
If you want suicidal, drive in Manhatten or on the Autobahn.

Half the problem is when people go overseas, they are always trying
to find flaws, and can't accept the differences for what they are.
Have you ever had to drive on the opposite side of the road for
any length of time. How long did it take for you to get used to
it? I conjecture that it takes almost as long when driving in a new
country or city to get used to the road patterns. And it'll take
quite a bit longer before you feel comfortable with it. And during
this time, you will be cursing the other drivers for how bad they are.
I know, I've done it myself. Do you know what width most North
Americans need to change lanes? Just the bonnet. Do you know what
Manhatten-ites regard as the most important part of their car - the
horn. Ever been on the roundabout in the middle of Paris? There
you sort of have to plant the accelerator crossing four or five
lanes into the middle, and kind of slingshot your way around
when you try to get off again (only the French could have a system
whereby the cars already _on_ the roundabout have to give way
to cars coming onto it!). And the Autobahn is really something
else - there you have traffic travelling in waves. You drive
170kph when the traffic is light (ie. bumper to bumper) and
slam on the brakes down to 90kph when you invariably get a
convoy of trucks on the inside lane every few Ks or so (ie.
effectively meaning traffic is reduced by one lane). So
next time you curse a Kiwi driver, just remember this is a
different country with different driving patterns; a lot
more open roads, and less cars on it; a lot more narrow,
winding two lane roads; less than 200k of motorways;
thousands of mad impatient Kiwis who are adept at overtaking
manoeuvres in less than 20m; and ignorant foreigners who are still
getting to grips with our driving patterns and pose a danger
to the natives. :-)

Bill Teahan
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