Rental vehicle operators are keen to meet with the Te Anau community and Police about the alarming increase in speeding drivers and near misses with mostly overseas visitors in rental vehicles racing to Milford.

Rental Vehicle Association of NZ CEO Ben McFadgen says some companies using GPS monitoring have clocked rental vehicle drivers at 140km/hr and even more “horrendous” speeds, ringing to warn them if they don’t slow down that the car will be taken off them.

It’s understood one driver was clocked at 170km/hr by the police.

McFadgen says: “At that speed you just lost your car and your licence. Enough is enough.”

The Milford Road, and whole state highway from Queenstown to Milford, is a major problem and rental companies, like Police, are very concerned that an accident is waiting to happen.

They’re prepared to meet with the local community and, if it proved necessary, operators may even consider more stringent measures.

Rental Vehicle Association of NZ CEO Ben McFadgen says companies are keen to meet with locals and Police to find a solution to speeding rental vehicles. Photo: Supplied

“We would conceivably look at some sort of intervention if the community believed there was a need due to the perceived risk of driving into Milford,” McFadgen says.

“If it comes from the community, then we’d absolutely look at it."

"Our operators would definitely be in support. It’s in our interests as we get all sorts of damage otherwise."

“Some of our guys are putting immobilisers in so at 135km/hr to 140km/hr drivers are warned and next time they reach that speed the vehicle is immobilised after they’ve stopped."

The association has also approached the authorities about supplying rental companies with a heads up about using speed camera data as infringement notices can take a few days to issue.

“If we could get a heads up from the Police or NZTA that somebody was going too fast we can reach out to customers and say, ‘You’ve been caught on speed camera and warn them to slow down.”

The speedsters include Brits, Americans, New Zealanders and Australians, as well as those from Southeast Asia where some cultures do not customarily wear a seat belt.

McFadgen says one overseas rental driver was allegedly clocked at 140km/hr-plus, pulled over and allegedly found to be unrestrained as were the child sitting on his lap and the two children in the back seat.

“Honestly… when in Rome do as Rome does. These people are potentially putting everyone at risk,” he says.

“Some of them have no experience on our roads and still drive their rental like they stole it. People think they can. Thanks ‘Top Gear’…” McFadgen says.

It’s in rental companies’ interests to ensure these people drive safely, as damaged vehicles also cost them money and means their income potential is off the road.

McFadgen says speeding to Milford is a serious problem and, while it’s very expensive, some operators are monitoring speed and a few have even introduced Telematics to collect data on driver behaviour.

“Some of that information is pretty scary,” he says.

Telematics provides computer monitoring of driver position and behaviours, including speed, using sensors which feed information back through the Cloud.

“It’s becoming very sophisticated. We warn in all contracts now that vehicles can be monitored.

Around 2500 vehicles are recorded daily on the Milford Road, according to NZTA figures. Photo: Southland App

“In summer, overseas drivers don’t understand the Milford Road, particularly the distance from Queenstown, and they try and bomb it to Milford and back in a day."

"That’s a huge amount of driving in a ridiculously short amount of time.”

Rental companies are starting to see overseas drivers now with digital licences and in future there may be a global system in which any misdemeanours show up internationally.

But McFadgen says that’s a long way away.

In the meantime, “pretty much anyone with a valid driver’s licence can rent a car and go anywhere in NZ”.

The only requirement is that if a licence isn’t in English, they’re required by law to carry a translation, McFadgen says.

Insurance is expensive and the costs and excesses have risen dramatically.

With what’s usually a $5000 excess most rental companies just end up paying for minor damage themselves, but if it’s the driver’s fault they must pay.

Milford Road Alliance manager Kevin Thompson, whose job it is to keep the Milford Road (State Highway 94) safe and maintained, says speeding and dangerous driving on the road is a real concern.

“It’s something we in our team talk about and see every day. It’s at the forefront of our minds,” Thompson says.

“We do a lot of interesting things involving rocks, avalanches and trees, but our number one hazard on the Milford Road is driving, and interaction with drivers.”

He says he and his staff are “typically the first responders” in the event of any accident just because they’re up there.

“We see something occurring and hold the fort until the cavalry come.

“We do see a lot of these and it’s increasing. I’m certainly concerned about it and how we support our team through that as it can be traumatic for the team.”

Thompson says people often underestimate the time to get to Milford from Queenstown.

Visitors are rushing - sometimes at breakneck speeds - to see Fiordland's crown jewel 'Milford Sound'. Photo: Jay Flood/Southland App

“There may be roadworks, traffic delays and stops for photos."

"We’ve seen it all between stopping in the middle of the road to take a photo, to poor judgement in passing, and speed.”

While in summer there are more foreign drivers involved, they also see issues with New Zealanders and locals in winter.

The main issue is not driving to the conditions, and Thompson says they’d like to see more people taking buses as there’s been a trend in recent years toward more small independent vehicles.

Thompson says it would be great to see some more slow vehicle bays on the Milford Road.

Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.