Vehicles travelling in opposite directions use most roads in New Zealand and the only thing that separates them from each other is a white line painted down the middle. For this reason it is important that you remember that in New Zealand you must drive on the left-hand side of the road. If you don’t you could be involved in a head-on crash.

You must take special care when pulling out onto the roadway after any stop for accommodation, petrol, food purposes etc, as this is when most head-on crashes occur for overseas visitors in New Zealand. When re-entering the traffic flow STOP; think before moving off and give yourself time to adjust.

What is the speed limit?
The maximum speed limit on the open road is 100km/h

Towing
The maximum open road speed limit when towing a Light Trailer ( including Caravan or Boat) is 90km/h

Urban Areas
The maximum speed limit for all urban areas is 50km/h

LSZ: This means you can drive at the open road speed of 100km/h. Provided it is safe to do so. However, if conditions are hazardous because weather is bad, visibility is poor, there are people, animals, cyclists or lots of vehicles on road or the road is in poor condition then you must drive at 50km/h.

While traffic is very light on several roads in Otago and Southland, drivers must not let their concentration levels drop, because the unexpected can always happen

Curve warning signs
These signs warn you that you are coming up to a curve and recommend a safe and comfortable speed.

Special Rules for slow drivers
If you are traveling slower than the speed limit and there are vehicles following you must keep as close to the left of the road as possible – pull over as soon as it is safe to let following vehicles past – never speed up on straight stretches of road to prevent following vehicles from passing you.

Important: If you are towing a trailer or another vehicle check often to make sure you are not holding up faster vehicles.

• Children under 7:
  
  • Must be properly restrained in an approved child restraint.

   

• Children aged 7:
  
  • Must use a child restraint if available.
  • If there is no child restraint available, the child must use a safety belt if available.
  • If there is no safety belt available the child must be in the back seat.

   

• Children between 8 and 14:
  
  • Must use safety belts if available.
  • If there is no safety belt available, the child must be sit in the back seat.

   

• People over 14:
  
  • Drivers and passengers must wear safety belts when available.

It is the driver''s responsibility to ensure anyone under the age of 15 is wearing a safety belt or approved child restraint. People aged 15 and over are responsible for their own fine.

Visitors to Southland and Otago will be driving on strange roads and often in a vehicle like a rental car that they are unfamiliar with. Don’t ruin a great holiday by drinking and driving.

Alcohol and drugs, including some drugs given by a doctor, can seriously affect your driving. IF YOU DRINK OR TAKE DRUGS DON’T DRIVE.

In New Zealand driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs is a serious offence and if you are caught will lead to Criminal Court action and a penalty – fine or imprisonment.

The New Zealand law says you must not drive if you have taken any type of drug which may affect you driving ability or the amount of alcohol in your blood or breath exceeds certain age-related limits. These limits are:

• Be aware: Everyone''s perception of how much they can drink is different. But the law is precise:

  If you''re an adult (over 20) the legal blood alcohol limit for driving is no more than 50 milligrams of alcohol for every 100mls of blood.

  If you are under 20 you shouldn’t drink any alcohol before you drive. Your limit is 30 milligrams for every 100mls.

   

• It is difficult to say how many alcoholic drinks you can have before you reach these limits. Because of this the best advice is if you drink at all, DON’T DRIVE.