Kiwi drivers spent an average of over 300 hours in their cars every year, according to a new survey.
The study, carried out by Autotrader, ranked 15 countries based on how much time motorists spent behind the wheel over the course of a year.
New Zealand drivers ranked seventh, spending an average of five hours and 58 minutes in their car every week – amounting to about 12 days and 22 hours per year.
South Africa recorded the longest times, with motorists averaging 10 hours and 38 minutes a week behind the wheel. This was approximately 23 days and one hour per year.
Ireland was ranked second with an average weekly time of seven hours and 23 minutes (16 days per year), and Australia was third with an average weekly time of seven hours and eight minutes (15 days and 11 hours).
"Despite their widespread geography, South Africa, Ireland and Australia all have similar public transport network issues," Autotrader wrote.
"Whether it's rural Ireland's infrequent bus connections, Australia's low-density suburban sprawl or South Africa's patchwork of urban-only services, residents in all three of these countries may be spending more time on average in their cars not just for convenience, but for necessity."
Below New Zealand, in eighth, was the United States, with an average weekly time of five hours and 55 minutes – 12 days and 20 hours per year.
Above in sixth was Greece, with their drivers recording an average of six hours and 13 minutes in their car every week and 13 days and 11 hours per year.
The two lowest were the UK and the Netherlands, recording weekly averages of four hours and 48 minutes (10 days and 10 hours per year) and four hours and 38 minutes (10 days and one hour per year), respectively.
Car leasing expert at Autotrader, Tom Roberts, said the research showed how differently people drove around the world
"From South Africa's long daily commutes and school runs, to French and German drivers saving their miles for the open road on a summer holiday. Wherever you are in the world, the time we spend in the car adds up to something significant.
“Understanding how much of your life is spent behind the wheel makes it easier to choose a car that actually fits how you live and drive – comfort, space and reliability mean more, the longer you spend on the road.”
Full rankings:
1. South Africa — 10 hours 38 minutes per week (23 days and 1 hour per year)
2. Ireland — 7 hours 23 minutes per week (16 days per year)
3. Australia — 7 hours 8 minutes per week (15 days and 11 hours per year)
4. Canada — 6 hours 50 minutes per week (14 days and 19 hours per year)
5. Italy — 6 hours 17 minutes per week (13 days and 15 hours per year)
6. Greece — 6 hours 13 minutes per week (13 days and 11 hours per year)
7. New Zealand — 5 hours 58 minutes per week (12 days and 22 hours per year)
8. United States — 5 hours 55 minutes per week (12 days and 20 hours per year)
9. Portugal — 5 hours 50 minutes per week (12 days and 15 hours per year)
10. Spain — 5 hours 24 minutes per week (11 days and 17 hours per year)
11. Germany — 5 hours 21 minutes per week (11 days and 14 hours per year)
12. Poland — 5 hours 11 minutes per week (11 days and 6 hours per year)
13. France — 5 hours 10 minutes per week (11 days and 5 hours per year)
14. United Kingdom — 4 hours 48 minutes per week (10 days and 10 hours per year)
15. Netherlands — 4 hours 38 minutes per week (10 days and 1 hour per year).
SHARE ME