10 Safety Tips for Driving in Niue

1. Drive on the Left Side of the Road

In Niue, traffic moves on the left side of the road. This will be familiar to visitors coming from New Zealand and Australia. However, if you come from a country where you usually drive on the right side of the road, you’ll need to be extra mindful when driving to not fall into your usual habits. Remind yourself that you need to drive on the left side of the road every time you get in the car and every time you pull out of a junction – the times when people most slip up!

For more road rules, see the 10 Road Rules for Niue You Need to Know.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

2. Watch Out for Dogs and Chickens on the Road

Dogs and chickens roam Niue’s roads like it’s nobody’s business. Slow down when you see dogs or chickens crossing the road. If you see a dog crouching beside the road, slow down as they have been known to jump out at cars.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

3. Don’t Park Under Coconut Trees

While finding a nice shady spot to park makes getting back into your car more comfortable, try to avoid parking under coconut trees. Your car rental company will not be happy if you return the car with a huge dent or broken windscreen from a fallen coconut!

(c) niuepocketguide.com

4. Mind the Potholes, Especially in the Sun and After the Rain

There’s no denying it. Niue has a lot of potholes. You’ll need to drive slowly to avoid damaging your car, as well as to stay in control. Extra care will need to be taken during the bright morning and afternoon sun when the sunlight can make it hard to see (always have sunglasses with you when you drive)! On the flip side, heavy rain can also fill Niue’s potholes, which makes it hard to judge how deep they are, so take it easy after the rain.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

5. Stick to the Speed Limits

There are two speed limits to stick to in Niue. In villages, the speed limit is 40 kph, which will be indicated by “40” road signs. On the open road, i.e. outside of villages, the speed limit is 60 kph. Some areas of the island may display signs for a different speed limit if a lower speed limit applies.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

6. Wear Safety Belts (Even if it’s Not Breaking the Law)

There is no law in Niue to enforce wearing seatbelts. However, like driving anywhere in the world, it’s highly recommended to wear your seatbelt. This is for your safety and the safety of others in the car with you.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

7. Don’t Drink and Drive

As alcohol obscures your senses, it’s always a good rule of thumb to not drink and drive. The Niue blood alcohol limit is 35 mcg per 100 ml of breath and 70 mcg per 100 ml of blood.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

8. Helmets are Compulsory for Motorbikes

Those riding motorcycles in Niue must wear a helmet! It is against to law to ride a motorbike in Niue and not wear a helmet. Although it’s not compulsory to wear a helmet while cycling, it’s highly recommended for obvious safety reasons. Most cycle and motorcycle rentals will have helmets for rent too.

Learn more about motorcycles in Niue in The Guide to Renting a Motorbike in Niue.

(c) Niue Tourism

9. Be Careful Where You Park

We’ve already talked about not parking under coconut trees. To add to that list, it’s forbidden to park on the yellow lines on the main road of Alofi, as well as at the Parliament Building car park. For your safety, we also recommend checking grass verges before parking on them, as some longer grass covers any dips and drops on the surface.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

10. Take Extra Care on Dirt Roads

Niue has around 123 km (76 mi) of paved roads that any rental car can use with ease (except for minding the potholes, as already discussed). However, there are a limited number of dirt roads or bush roads that need to be driven with extra care. Generally, they are best avoided after heavy rain. Roads that are not suitable for driving in rental cars are clearly stated on the Niue maps available in the Visitor Information Centre.

(c) niuepocketguide.com