The political response to policing tourists on our roads could be described as passive.

Perhaps disrupting the revenue generated by visitors is a risk no minister wishes to take. In the year ended March 2015 alone, the tourism industry generated $29.9 billion for the country (Statistics New Zealand, 2015).

However, this unwillingness to respond effectively has come at the expense of the New Zealand public.

New Zealand’s terrain and roads are unlike anywhere else in the world. This, combined with the prospect and perception of space, beauty and a largely insouciant attitude, has blinded many tourists when travelling across our country.

It seems highly illogical that the country imposes a three-tier licensing system that governs the New Zealand public, yet very few measures are imposed upon those unfamiliar with the land.

In January 2013 it was reported that 13 people had been killed by learner drivers over the course of a year. Twenty-four were killed during the same year by those on their restricted license (NZTA, 2014).

How many crashes that resulted in serious injury or death were overseas drivers involved in over the course of year? 25? 50? No, try 101 (Ministry of Transport, 2014).

If learner drivers are required to display L-plates, and restricted drivers are required to abide by curfews and accompaniment rules, then logically it would make sense to enforce equivalent rules upon overseas drivers. A simple requirement for tourists to display T-plates would alert surrounding drivers to be extra vigilant.