New Zealand car crash: how Hongkongers can stay safe on self-drive trips abroad

Road safety has been thrust into the spotlight after two Hong Kong tourists were killed in a car crash in New Zealand. The Chinese consulate in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Saturday revealed details of the fatal traffic accident that occurred a day earlier. The South China Morning Post outlines what road safety precautions motorists should take following the recent string of traffic accidents involving Hongkongers travelling overseas. 1. What to look out for at a new destination? In Hong Kong, traffic drives on the left side of the road, while drivers steer on the right side of the car. It is the same in many countries such as Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, while other places, including mainland China, the United States and Canada, adopt the opposite. Ringo Lee Yiu-pui, honorary life president of the Hong Kong, China Automobile Association, said that adapting to driving on the left side of the car posed a significant challenge for the city’s motorists. According to Lee, the biggest hurdle for Hong Kong drivers is paying attention to blind spots when changing to driving on the left side of the vehicle. “Drivers cannot rely solely on their rear-view mirrors, they must perform physical shoulder checks to ensure it is safe to proceed,” Lee said. He emphasised that while little could be done to prepare for driving a left-hand-drive vehicle beforehand, motorists could mitigate risks simply by slowing down. Lee also urged drivers to remain calm if they missed a turn. “If you miss an exit, never attempt to stop or reverse on a highway, as this is incredibly dangerous,” he said. “Instead, let the GPS recalculate the route. Arriving a bit later is minor compared with the risk as safety must be the utmost priority.” 2. What contributes to crashes overseas involving Hongkongers? Gary Zhang Xinyu, director of the transport group Smart Transportation Alliance, said New Zealand was a popular road-trip destination for Hongkongers because its traffic rules were similar to those in Hong Kong, adding that this familiarity could make drivers less vigilant. “The traffic rules in New Zealand and Hong Kong are largely similar – both drive on the right side of the car – and the road layout and signs are also similar. This can actually make Hong Kong drivers less watchful,” the former lawmaker said. He added that sharp turns on the country’s mountain roads and the weather could also contribute to traffic accidents. “There is a weather condition that Hong Kong does not typically encounter – it’s autumn and winter there in New Zealand now, which can lead to what we call ‘black ice’ on the road surface,” he said. “It’s a very thin layer of ice that you cannot see with the naked eye, but it can easily cause unsafe situations for vehicles, especially if you’re driving fast or making a hard brake.” Lee said the primary cause of accidents during overseas road trips was a fundamental unfamiliarity with local road conditions, especially when Hong Kong motorists needed to switch to the other side. “Transitioning to the opposite side of the road completely alters a driver’s spatial awareness during critical manoeuvres, such as turning at intersections and overtaking,” he said. 3. How can you prepare for road trips? Lee urged motorists to maintain a cautious speed when driving on unknown routes overseas. He also suggested those planning overseas road trips travel with companions who were familiar with local routes. “They could also act as relief drivers to take over when you are tired, especially since driving distances abroad can be significant,” Lee said. He said that travelling for two to three hours at a time was common in other countries. “This prolonged driving distance is often the hardest adjustment for Hong Kong drivers,” he added. Lee pointed out that the recent accident in New Zealand occurred on a major highway frequented by heavy goods vehicles, which had multiple blind spots, posing a severe risk to unfamiliar drivers. Zhang called on drivers to learn about the destination’s traffic rules, weather and road conditions to improve protection. “Choosing a car is also important, especially when going to a new place where you’re not very familiar with it,” he said. “Try to choose a model with better performance and more active safety features, such as automatic emergency braking.” 4. What countries pose a higher road-accident risk for Hongkongers? Zhang said New Zealand was one of the destinations that had relatively more traffic accidents involving tourists because of its weather and road conditions. Lee noted that driving in Europe posed the greatest challenge for Hong Kong motorists. In countries such as Germany, which feature ultra-high-speed motorways, missing an exit can easily cause unfamiliar drivers to panic and lose concentration, creating severe safety risks, according to Lee.