h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Driving Etiquette - Australia and New Zealand - A3914066
Author: Oojakapiv. Happily unencumbered by the thought process - U147203

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A really weird rule that (I think) is unique to New Zealand is that people who are turning left have to give way to a person turning right into the same street. In Australia and the UK (and everywhere else that drives on the left) of course the law is reversed. Presumably it was instituted to stop right-turning drivers clogging up main arterial routes while loads of left-turning traffic goes through, but it leads to a lot of confusion at times, particularly with tourists.

Matt

That *is* weird, but I can see the logic of it from your explanation.

I think it might be wise to link to this entry A663482 It gives advice on rural driving like the giving way to 'road trains' and speed limits in the Northern Territory and South Australia and the Nullabor Plain (and lack thereof).

But there are other driving issues in Australia, like not slowing down for native animals - except wombats because they'll take out a tank (let alone a car) if you hit one. And stopping to pick up hitchhikers. Especially along the Coorong. Bad idea, they're usually danish backpackers

There's the practice of 'playing chicken' that truck convoys like to undertake to break up the monotony of long distance travel. This invovles two trucks pinning a family car between them on the road. Best advice, pull over and let them get on with it. They'll find something else to amuse themselves with, and you can have a breather.

I could probably think of a few other things if pushed, but that's all for now.
Frood

In California, left turners must yield to everyone unless there is a dedicated signal-it is treated just like coming out of your driveway. The idea that it would be natural to let them turn first if you were turning right seems odd to me, because right turners don't have to stop before turning here. Maybe Kiwis got the idea from us?

Remember we in New Zealand drive on the opposite side of the road to the US...

Matt

I like NZ's right hand rule - it's both logical and intuitive and I could never understand why some people don't get it.

>>Leaving aside the issues associated with motorways, which are pretty much the same everywhere, there are a few points to be made on the subject of driving in New Zealand1, particularly on the North Island2.<<

That's not entirely true. The 'motorways' in the South Island traditionally have a reputation of not being Real motorways (they tend to be just roads at either end of cities where the speed limit is faster even though it's still suburban) and were often the objects of ridicule by North Islanders.

I have some other things I could add about driving in the South Island, but from reading the UK thread on this it looks like there is a move to remove the entries from the EG.

Oojakapiv, can you comment? Is there any point to adding to this entry at this stage?

I'm just posting back to see how the update might be coming along. Is it still up and running, or should it be removed from here, d'you think?