A tourist who was driving on the wrong side of the road has had a “wake-up call” after almost causing a head-on collision in New Zealand.
Auckland man Bryan Jenkins was driving up Bruce Rd in Ruapehu when a campervan came around a bend on the wrong side of the road, heading straight towards him.
Both motorists managed to slow down and pull over, avoiding a collision.
Jenkins, who is holidaying in his own caravan, said the man driving the campervan was a tourist and appeared confused until he realised his mistake.
“The driver was very apologetic, extremely embarrassed and got a good fright.”
“He said it was a wake-up call.”
Rather than scold the tourist for his mistake, Jenkins, a retired tour bus driver of 30 years, reminded the tourist of the road rules and told him to “enjoy the rest of his trip”.
“It’s more important that he learns a lesson rather than be berated, ridiculed.
“I felt that he learned a lesson.”
A spokesperson for Lucky Rentals, which owned the campervan being driven by the tourist, said the company was sorry to hear of the near collision and grateful no one was hurt.
Manuals including basic road rules, New Zealand specific laws, road signs and markings and information about driving on the left side of the road are given to those who rent its vehicles, the spokesperson added.
Drivers are also spoken to verbally and given the opportunity to ask questions.
“Unfortunately, it is common that even if given a proper training in staying left (and other nationwide differences) often tourists can still forget in a split second and make the wrong decision.”
