Unfamiliar roads demand caution from Hong Kong travellers
Hongkongers who do not drive often should think twice and prepare carefully if they plan to drive on foreign roads
Someone who does not travel could be forgiven for thinking it is potentially hazardous, given recent reports of tragic accidents abroad involving tourists from Hong Kong. The happy and safe experiences of countless repeat travellers give the lie to that impression, but the reports and their loss and suffering are real enough. Regardless of the circumstances, they are reminders of the need for care in unfamiliar environments.
In May, two Hong Kong tourists died and two others were injured in a single-vehicle crash on a state highway on the South Island of New Zealand. Since 2014, at least 12 Hongkongers have died in vehicle accidents in New Zealand, where high speed limits over long distances present different challenges, such as fatigue. That is not to say road safety is not an issue in Hong Kong, but the accidents in question occurred in unfamiliar environments.
Holidays are supposed to include new experiences, but without awareness and preparedness for local conditions, they can present hidden dangers. One local agency head said that while right-hand steering and wider roads could give Hongkongers confidence in Japan or New Zealand, they still needed to be cautious. Another expert said factors that could affect concentration included longer distances, unfamiliar roads and signs, and unpredictable weather.
It sounds like commonsense advice that if someone has a licence but does not drive often in Hong Kong, they should think and prepare carefully before driving elsewhere.