Re: New Zealand [was [Vic] Tram & Pedestrian Accident Today

[David McLoughlin <davemcl@AXE*THISiprolink.co.nz>]

John Kerley wrote:
 
> I am glad that my perception of Kiwi driving ability, or rather the lack of
> it, is not just "mainland" prejudice.

Just as an aside, the term "mainland" in New Zealand refers to the South
Island. It is the colloquial name for that island. Hence you even get
"Mainland Cheese" here, a brand of cheese made in the South Island. And
yes, South Island drivers are slightly better (but not much) than North
Island ones. Auckland and (for some odd reason) Gisborne* drivers are
the worst by far.

Over here, Australia is not known as the "mainland" but as the "West
Island."

David McLoughlin
Auckland New Zealand

* Gisborne is a provincial city with about 30,0000 people in a remote
rural area on the end of a rail line (from Wellington via Napier) on the
far east coast of the North Island. It will be the first city in the
world to see the dawn light on January 1. Many motorists there have no
licences, many of their bombs are unregistered, the road toll is
appalling (you should see all the many white crosses on the roads north
of the city; NZers put up white wooden crosses on the roadsides where
people die in road crashes) and the traffic enforcement appears to be
even more non-existent there than elsewhere in this country.