The problem with the govt and police is there obsession with speed, When will they realise that the problem is driver training. Every day I see drivers who do not know the rules. These driver are mainly older people who have no idea what the current road rules are because they got there license 20 or more years ago. Every morning on the way to work there is some body that thinks its ok and safe to drive along the expressway in rush hour at 70-80kmph with 10 cars behind them. The police do absolutely nothing about it but if you try to get past them the police are all over you. I think there should be compulsory license training every 10 years. For example I would estimate that only about 10% of drivers know how the correctly indicate at round abouts and these are the younger driver who have just sat there license and know the new rules.

@ Fung You are an idiot.

FTP

Let's make a deal, I'm willing to pay an extra $100 in tax per week if I can speed on the highways. Government/police get's their revenue, I get my fun. After all, in my 7 years of driving with $10,000+ in speeding tickets plus a loss of license, I am still driving from Wellington to Auckland in less than 6 hours.

@Torsten - you are absolutely correct. It is too easy to gain a driving license in this country.

Having the ability to drive on a restricted license is abhorrent.

Too many times I hear the excuse - but we don't have a public transport system. How will the kids get around?

Well, let the kids drive - but remember - NZ has the highest percentage per capita of teenage deaths caused by driving in the developed world. A 15 year old brain is utterly incapable of the concentration levels and lacks the basic hazard detection required to drive a motor vehicle of any kind.

And what is it with not being able to sit at 100kmph behind the car in front, without tailgating and without overtaking.

Oh, fog lights - the clue is in the name.

Coasters #47

Have you seen how fast people go down Kapiti Road? I'm not surprised there's more of a police presence - lots of long straight roads, poor lighting, and a group of young people with nothing much to do in a sleepy retirement town.

I'm an ex Coaster, but my immediate family live there still. I'm always surprised at some of the atrocious driving/behavious whenever I visit.

If only Kiwis could actually drive to a reasonable 21st century standard it would help a lot.

As a Norwegian here on long-term work project, I am shocked at the poor standards here and much surprised that parents are allowed to teach children. Tailgating, speeding, paying no attention etc - and no Kiwi can follow a car on an open road at 100 Kmh without overtaking it, I have noticed!

In Europe, people drive with parents for practice, sure thing but no way to pass a test without lots and lots of proper lessons from instructor as well.

Also no way to drive - ever - without a qaulified driver in the car at all times.

Jane #48 yer their method isn't too bad i think they give you 10% of the speed limit ie 55 in a 50 zone = ticket but 120 in a 110 zone wont = ticket, that and the 3 strikes policy makes sure your more careful.

I totally agree with Kevin. The level of driving needs to be improved, and speed is but a part of the problem.

There is no lane discipline, people drive where they like, don't keep left, and undertake, especially on motorways, despite what the road code says.

Something else which is a problem, and is also mentioned in the road code, is people driving with their fog lights on thinking it is cool, but actually dazzles oncoming drivers.

I wasnt even deliberately speeding with my last two $300 tickets. Funny that both cops made NO mention of how speeding could impact negatively on safety.