Summer means road trips, parties, BBQs, and of course festival season. With plenty of people on the road to R&A, it’s important to look after yourself and your mates so everyone can get to and from Wanaka safely.
If you and your mates plan on drinking or taking drugs, plan not to drive — book a yello bus, call a taxi, camp, or make sure one of your mates takes on the role of sober driver both on the way and way back.
There are legal limits for blood-alcohol levels when driving depending on your age, but the safest option is to drive sober. If you’ve been drinking the night before, you may still have the effects of alcohol the morning after.
If you have any doubt over whether you’re safe to drive—don’t. It’s always better to wait than risk hurting yourself or others.
Limits for blood-alcohol levels
Before you get behind the wheel, make sure you’re well rested so you’re alert. If you’re on a long roadie include rest beaks every couple of hours and share the driving.
Seatbelts save lives. They support you in a crash or when a vehicle stops suddenly. Make sure everyone buckles up before you start your journey.
Driving requires your full attention, it’s not the time to use your phone. If you’re on a roadie with your mates, put someone in charge of music and directions so you don’t need to reach for your phone.
Travel at a safe speed whenever you drive. This means following the speed limit and adjusting your speed to the road, traffic or weather conditions. In summer, there are more roadworks meaning more traffic as well as temporary speed limits. Plan for detours, rest breaks and extra traffic.
Yello buses are the official transport provider for R&A. There are regular buses to the festival site from both Queenstown and Wanaka for Day Visitors and Campers.
Book your yello bus(external link)
If you’re driving, make sure you know where you’re going before you set off. Check our journey planner for up-to-date travel information and journey times.
Journey Planner(external link)
You can also keep up to date on state highway conditions by following our Facebook pages.
NZTA Otago & Southland – Facebook(external link)
NZTA Canterbury & West Coast - Facebook(external link)
For local road information, you can check out the local council’s websites or Facebook pages.
Make sure you check this before you drive or have a passenger in charge of directions check for you.
This summer roadworkers are out across the country making improvements. Expect delays and allow extra time before you travel. Road workers are out in all weather and do their best to keep everyone moving. Be tolerant and respectful of all crew members and follow any instructions on site. They’re helping to keep you safe.
