Experiences with Traffic Tickets: Driving in New Zealand Insights

On the journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound, time was of the essence, so I found myself cruising at 100 km/h. As I approached a downhill stretch, I decided against braking, but then, out of nowhere, a police car appeared. My heart skipped a beat, but when I noticed that he didn’t immediately turn around like in the movies, I felt a fleeting sense of relief and continued on my way.

Less than three minutes later, the police car caught up with me. I eased off the accelerator, and he stayed right behind me. Soon, the siren began to wail, and I knew there was no escaping it. I pulled over to the side of the road, my heart pounding.

The officer approached and informed me that I had been speeding. He asked for my driver’s license translation, checked the rental car documents, and requested my email address. He then showed me the speed displayed on his car’s dashboard: 109 km/h, which was 9% over the limit. He explained that the fine would be $30, and the bill would be sent to my email.

He inquired about my destination, and I told him I was heading to the fjord. Glancing at his watch, he advised me to keep my speed in check and then let me go. As I resumed my drive, I noticed he followed me for a short while before turning around and disappearing from view.

Earlier, I had already seen two other cars pulled over on the side of the road, likely for the same reason. Here, any amount over the speed limit is strictly prohibited, and they rely entirely on mobile speed detection to catch offenders.

Has anyone else ever received a ticket while driving themselves?