Roading infrastructure a key to tourist safety

29 June 2004

Education and a strong roading infrastructure are key to making sure visitors have a safe and comfortable experience while driving in New Zealand.

The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ) welcomes the report, Tourist Road Safety in Otago and Southland, commissioned by the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) which highlights the need for better education for international visitors about New Zealand’s unique road conditions and rules.

There are some excellent operators in the industry who go to great lengths to advise visitors about New Zealand roads.

For example, Kea Campers, New Zealand Tourism Award winners in 2003, provide all their campervan drivers with material on New Zealand roads in different languages. The company discusses with each individual client the differences in road rules (eg the right hand rule), and differences, for example between European and New Zealand rules.

But there is always room for improvement in such a large industry and this report isolates those issues. TIANZ looks forward to working with the LTSA to improve awareness and education of our visiting drivers in the wider industry.

The Association is currently contributing to government’s transport and infrastructure policies to make sure New Zealand roads are in an optimal state to cope with increasing visitor numbers.

ENDS

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