The Rental Vehicle Association of NZ is meeting with the NZ Transport Agency and asking for urgent action amid serious concerns about the dangers of mostly overseas drivers speeding to and from Milford, not obeying the rules, and the number of crashes and near misses.

Rental Vehicle Association of NZ CEO Ben McFadgen says he met with NZTA officials on Tuesday, 17 February, to discuss road safety and the issues around Milford and he will be meeting them again next Friday. (27 Feb)

“I laid it out and said we need to sort this out,” he says. McFadgen says the problem is urgent and, like Police, he’s concerned there’s a bad accident waiting to happen.

He’s also been in touch with Southland MP Joseph Mooney who says he's long advocated for pull over and passing bays between Queenstown and Milford with what’s become an increasing problem.

McFadgen is also keen to meet with the Te Anau community, which has also long advocated for safe pull over bays or passing lanes to help prevent accidents.

He says some rental 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 in recent times at 170km/hr by the police.

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