US tourist in NZ who makes us all look bad

[Anonymous]

We are vacationing in NZ, and this story involving a guy from home is all over the local news, and now locals also mention it to us when reminding us to drive on the left. I really wish Americans would try harder to avoid bad press abroad that affects other US visitors!

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/us-tourist-brett-reck-hit-car-on-highway-near-nelson-after-driving-on-wrong-side-of-road-for-10-minutes/ALUMKN4ZAFHCFG4DPCGZPZB554/

[Anonymous]

How is this affecting you?

[Anonymous]

Threw a beer can out the window?

Child needs round the clock care but they traveled half way around the world for vacation?

So he's a local who works at C1 and lives in great falls, lovely.

[Anonymous]

Well at least he didn't kill someone by driving on the right side, and then flee the country to avoid responsibility.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/anne-sacoolas-wife-us-diplomat-pleads-guilty-death/story?id=91791741

[Anonymous]

516,000 yanks visit NZ every year.

This is unfortunate but Kiwis are not going to judge half a million people by this one asshat.

Nothing wrong with hearing 'drive on the left' a few times a day.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately not uncommon.

https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/overseas-tourist-flees-country-after-queenstown-wrong-way-smash

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Threw a beer can out the window?

Child needs round the clock care but they traveled half way around the world for vacation?

So he's a local who works at C1 and lives in great falls, lovely.

He's obviously someone who made a terrible choice and is incredibly lucky he didn't kill someone, but why are you judging him for taking a disabled child on vacation, rather than for driving drunk? The ableism in your post is staggering.

[Anonymous]

OMG, not another look-at-these-ugly-American-tourists making us superior people look bad posts...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately not uncommon.

https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/overseas-tourist-flees-country-after-queenstown-wrong-way-smash

How does case number TWO mentioned in this thread demonstrate that it's not uncommon? How many Americans do this in NZ per year?

[Anonymous]

Nor is it restricted to Americans. Most of the world does not drive the UK/NZ/Aus/Jap/Ireland side of the road. I've taken several trips to NZ and do remember reading articles in NZ papers about the dangers of overseas drivers forgetting to turn onto the correct side of the road when pulling out of a parking lot or side street. It's a common situation because so many people rent cars in NZ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:516,000 yanks visit NZ every year.

This is unfortunate but Kiwis are not going to judge half a million people by this one asshat.

Nothing wrong with hearing 'drive on the left' a few times a day.

OP here. The vast majority of those 500k visitors are cruise passengers who do not drive. I just thought this news item that is trending here in NZ should follow this guy home. He should be able to escape this story by flying home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:516,000 yanks visit NZ every year.

This is unfortunate but Kiwis are not going to judge half a million people by this one asshat.

Nothing wrong with hearing 'drive on the left' a few times a day.

OP here. The vast majority of those 500k visitors are cruise passengers who do not drive. I just thought this news item that is trending here in NZ should follow this guy home. He should be able to escape this story by flying home.

*not

[Anonymous]

Rude, loud, and stupid Americans. What else’s new?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nor is it restricted to Americans. Most of the world does not drive the UK/NZ/Aus/Jap/Ireland side of the road. I've taken several trips to NZ and do remember reading articles in NZ papers about the dangers of overseas drivers forgetting to turn onto the correct side of the road when pulling out of a parking lot or side street. It's a common situation because so many people rent cars in NZ.

Yeah, but he didn’t turn out of a parking lot, he drove on the wrong side of the road for a full 10 minutes with the car behind him flashing it’s lights and honking its horn. How did he or his passenger not notice? It’s staggeringly reckless, as the judge told him. Don’t make excuses for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:516,000 yanks visit NZ every year.

This is unfortunate but Kiwis are not going to judge half a million people by this one asshat.

Nothing wrong with hearing 'drive on the left' a few times a day.

OP here. The vast majority of those 500k visitors are cruise passengers who do not drive. I just thought this news item that is trending here in NZ should follow this guy home. He should be able to escape this story by flying home.

Do you know him or something? The vibe of this shaming is so personal. (And yes this dude was wrong duh)