Car hire targeted for new road safety campaign in New Zealand

New Zealand police have launched a new campaign aimed at foreign drivers to take caution in the wake of several road accidents over the summer travel period, involving foreign tourists travelling from Europe.  It is believed the spike of tourists involved in road accidents is due to exhaustion as drivers tend to drive long stretches whilst on holidays.

Police are urging motorists, especially in the southern part of the country, to keep to the indicated speed limit, especially in visitor centric areas including locations such as Milford Sound and Queenstown.  Many speeding tickets were issued over the summer to tourists from abroad with many speeds record as well over 140kmh.

One of the ideas of the campaign for officials to ask car hire forms to issue a basic instructional guide to driving rules, including speed limits and local guidelines, which drivers can use as a reference point before taking to the roads.

Presently, drivers licenses from all over the world for the first twelve months, and once that grace period expires, drivers are expected to obtain a valid New Zealand drivers license.

National road policing manager, Paula Rose, said that road safety needed to be highlighted with visiting tourists from abroad, especially with the upcoming Rugby World Cup being held soon.

The Rental Vehicle Association of New Zealand claimed that the normal material available for tourists on driving in New Zealand is given to all visitors when they rent a car, and that most car hire firms are encouraged to hand them out when they rent out their vehicles.