Kiwi drivers praised as polite

New Zealanders are the second most polite drivers in the world – behind those in Cyprus – according to a survey.

DiscoverCars.com research has utilised data from almost 5,000 tourists who rented a car via its services and asked them to score the manners of the others on the road from one to 10.

Aotearoa scored 8.77. Tourists thought drivers on the roads here were very polite, with one saying in their review, “the traffic in New Zealand is very relaxed. Polite to let you enter a motorway, quite strict in the maximum speed. Signs on the road are clear”.

Another remarked: “There are lovely places to drive all over New Zealand. The famously beautiful Coromandel Peninsula is ideal for outdoors enthusiasts with perfect kayaking spots. Or you can explore the mountains.”

Cyprus topped the poll with 8.83 out of 10. Turkey was third on 8.73, Australia fourth with 8.60 and Portugal came fifth on 8.54.

The countries that ranked at the bottom of the table didn’t necessarily get especially low scores, but were all given average scores below eight out of 10.

Morocco ranked 11th with 7.97. One tourist said: “Crazy driving in Marrakech. Everyone wants to pass you and normal rules are ignored, yet good-natured with no anger.”

France scored 7.84 out of 10. “They do not like people who drive slowly.” The United Arab Emirates was rated at 7.80. “A lot of drivers were going over speed limits and would honk a lot.”

A full point out of 10 lower than mainland Italy, the autonomous region of Sicily scored 7.14. A driver said: “Usual and expected Sicilian speeding and honking.” Florida came bottom of the ladder with 7.14. “Why is everyone in such a hurry?”