Submitted by Nicole Coffey on the 2017 winter session study abroad program in New Zealand sponsored by the School of Marine Science and Policy and the Department of Geological Sciences….
Over the first few days of my study abroad, I’ve mostly found adjusting to life in New Zealand to be fairly easy. However, there are a few things that will take me much longer to get used to – and a lot of them have to do with the roads. The most glaring difference from travel in the United States is that cars drive on the left side of the road with the driver’s seat closest to the median, so when you try to cross the street you may find yourself making eye contact with the passenger rather than the driver – oops! Pedestrians also stay to the left when on the sidewalk, so the “stay to the right” mantra my high school drove into me is no longer relevant here. New Zealand signs are different, too. For example, instead of a “yield” sign, their version reads “give way.”
Pedestrian crossing signs feature a green man (sometimes moving!) to signal that it’s safe to cross, rather than the static white image I’m used to from home. Round-abouts are much more common here than they are back home. One of the most shocking differences between New Zealand roads and those at home, though, is without a doubt the existence of one-way bridges on a two-way road. How does that work? Well, one direction has the right of way; if no one is on the bridge, they proceed across. If two cars are approaching in opposite directions, the car with the right of way continues over, while the “give-way” car pulls aside to give the oncoming traffic room to get across. The concept seems a bit like an accident waiting to happen to me, but I suppose that’s just because I’m not used to it. The first time we crossed one of these bridges, I thought my heart had stopped. All I have to say is: I’m glad I won’t have to drive while I’m here!
I’m sure that with more time, I’ll be more comfortable with New Zealand traffic patterns, but for now I’m going to set that aside and focus on enjoying the wonderful program I’m here for!