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Safe Driving in New Zealand
We know you're excited to explore our precious country, but before you do, it's important you know all the safety tips.
Tips
If you’re tired you’re much more likely to have a crash. Here are some tips to help you stay alert.
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Ensure you are well-rested before embarking on a long drive.
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Take breaks every two hours during your journey.
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Consider sharing driving responsibilities if feasible.
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Opt for smaller meals and stay adequately hydrated.
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If drowsy, take a short break (up to 40 minutes) in a safe location.
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If exhaustion sets in, seek overnight accommodation.
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While appreciating New Zealand's stunning scenery, always pull off to a safe area for viewing or photography; never stop on the road.
GPS Navigation
Winter Driving
Snow and ice pose increased hazards on roads, especially around mountain passes. Rental vehicle companies frequently provide chains for such conditions. Ensure you are familiar with how to properly fit them before embarking on your journey.
Gravel Roads
If possible, steer clear of unsealed roads due to their narrow nature. When navigating them, exercise caution by reducing your speed, especially around bends, corners, or oncoming traffic where dust may obscure visibility, and loose stones can pose a threat to your windscreen. Avoid hard braking, as it may lead to loss of control and sliding off the road. Maintain a maximum safe speed of no more than 50 km/hr, and further decrease your speed to 30 km/hr or less for bends and downhill stretches. Many New Zealand roads feature gravel verges; take care not to let your wheels venture into these areas, as it can easily result in loss of control.
Important Road Rules
Drive with care
Seatbelts and Chilld Restraints
All occupants, including children, must wear safety belts while in the vehicle. New Zealand law mandates the use of safety belts or child restraints for everyone, whether seated in the front or back. For the safety of children under the age of seven or 148cm, it is a legal requirement to keep them in a child seat or booster seat at all times during travel.
Alcohol and Drugs
Strictly avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. New Zealand enforces stringent laws against this, and the penalties are severe.
No Left Turn On Red
In New Zealand, it's not allowed to make a left turn at an intersection when the traffic signals are red.
Hand-Held Mobile Phones
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in New Zealand. Exceptions include hands-free devices or securely mounted phones, which should be touched infrequently and briefly. Additionally, writing, reading, or sending text messages while driving is illegal.
Sharing The Road With Cyclists
Cyclists in New Zealand have equal rights on the roads as drivers. Exercise caution by slowing down near cyclists, passing slowly and safely, and maintaining a distance of 1.5 meters. Indicate your intentions in advance and show respect for designated cycle lanes.
Giving Way at Intersections
When turning, give way to vehicles not turning, and always signal your intentions with indicators. Exercise caution at road junctions and roundabouts, ensuring correct use of traffic lanes and signaling for a safe driving experience.
Important Road Rules
Drive with care
Keep Left
In New Zealand, drive on the left-hand side of the road and maintain the left position. If you're accustomed to driving on the right, be mindful to keep left when pulling onto the road. Exercise extra caution at complex intersections or motorway on-ramps, and be alert for 'WRONG WAY' signs.
Driving Speeds
Stay mindful of speed limits and consistently drive below the posted speed limit. New Zealand's roads are often narrow, hilly, and winding. Adjust your speed as necessary, considering road, weather, and traffic conditions.
Rail Crossings
Of New Zealand's public rail crossings, only half feature automatic alarms. When red lights are flashing, come to a complete stop, proceeding only after the lights have ceased flashing. For crossings with signs, adhere to the instructions. At stop sign crossings, halt and proceed only if no trains are approaching. For give-way sign crossings, slow down, be prepared to stop, and cross only if no trains are approaching.
One-Lane Bridge
Several roads in New Zealand feature one-lane bridges, where vehicles in one direction must give way to those in the opposite direction. Signs indicating a one-lane bridge are posted in advance. Reduce speed, and be cautious of oncoming traffic. The smaller red arrow on the signs indicates the direction that must give way.
Overtaking
On most New Zealand roads with a single lane each way, passing lanes are provided at intervals. Utilize these passing lanes for overtaking when possible. Do not cross a solid yellow line on your side of the center line, as it signifies that overtaking is unsafe. Minimize overtaking, as it is a leading cause of vehicle accidents.
Parking
In New Zealand, you can be fined or towed away for parallel parking on the wrong side of the road. You may only park in the direction of traffic flow on your side of the road (ie on the left side) unless it is a one-way street. You cannot park on the side of the road if there are yellow dashed lines.
Animals On The Road
Watch out for farm animals on the road, particularly in rural areas. When you see them, slow down and do not sound your horn – it may startle them. You may need to stop and let the animals go past or move slowly up behind and follow the farmer's instructions.
