An online petition seeking a law change requiring all foreign drivers to sit a test before renting a vehicle in NZ has received a growing number signatures following a series of road incidents.
The Transport Ministry figures reported by RadioNZ show Westland has the highest percentage of crashes involving foreign visitors. Between 2009 and 2013, 37 per cent involved an overseas driver. The areas with the lowest totals were Taupo, western Bay of Plenty and Selwyn, where the figure was just 8 per cent.
NZ is a country with a small population, beautiful scenery and, unlike a lot of the world, it drives on the left. Many of its most scenic roads, especially in the South Island, have little traffic, luring drivers to increase speed and decrease concentration.
Whatever the reason, rental car companies and road safety authorities are looking at ways to make self-drive tourism safer.
How can we make tourists safer on our roads? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:
