New Zealand police want more driver’s education given to foreign tourists who operate vehicles the country, according to the NZ Herald News.
Several overseas visitors died in car accidents last summer and many have been issued speeding tickets in popular tourist spots, such as Queenstown and Milford Sound on the South Island.
"We don't want them going home in a wooden box," Sergeant Geoff Sutherland, head of the Southland police highway patrol, told the newspaper.
"And we certainly don't want them causing any more harm for any of us on the roads."
Police have suggested working with rental car companies to provide visitors with standard driving guidelines before they get behind the wheel.
"These tourists pretty much arrive in the country and within minutes they have got a rental car and they are on their way," Sutherland told the newspaper.
"And there's really nothing provided to them apart from a bit of verbal advice regarding our driving conditions and road rules." Driver licenses from any country are valid in New Zealand for up to a year. Visitors staying longer are required to have a New Zealand license.
National road policing manager Superintendent Paula Rose said stressing the road safety message with tourists was a major focus before next year’s Rugby World Cup, when an influx of overseas visitors is expected.
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