New Zealand mulls rental car code to curb crashes involving foreign drivers

Visitors to New Zealand might be questioned on their driving experience before they can get behind the wheel of a rental car in future, according to proposals released on Tuesday.

A Code of Best Practice regarding foreign travelers has been agreed by the leaders of 25 of the country's rental vehicle firms in response to a series of fatal crashes and other incidents on New Zealand's scenic roads.

The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) and the Rental Vehicle Association New Zealand, which organized the agreement, said the code would be developed as a matter of urgency.

It would include, increased screening of driver experience at the time of hiring and at vehicle pick-up, more pre-arrival information about New Zealand driving conditions, and more information-sharing between rental vehicle firms about visitors whose contracts had been canceled.

Overseas drivers have been involved in a series of crashes that have killed other visitors and locals, and at least three cases have been reported of local motorists taking the keys from visiting drivers, claiming they were safety risks. Endi