Holidaymakers bound for Auckland, Waikato or the Bay of Plenty this festive season have a slow journey ahead, with passing lanes coned off in a bid to reduce a rising road toll.
Passing lanes at Maramarua on State Highway 2 are currently closed "for safety reasons" during busy Christmas and New Year travel periods, NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) said on Thursday.
SH2 is the main highway connection between Auckland, the Coromandel and Tauranga.
Acting Waikato Transport System Manager Rob Campbell says the closures will make the road safer for all motorists in heavy traffic by "maintaining a steady flow" and "preventing crashes as traffic merges at the end of the passing lane".
For motorists heading east, the three passing lanes on SH2 near Mangatawhiri Rd, Kopuku Rd and Heaven's Rest will be closed:
- Saturday, December 21 - 9am to 5pm
- Sunday, December 22 - 9am to 5pm
- Friday, December 27 - 9am to 5pm
- Saturday, December 28 - 9am to 5pm
For motorists heading west, the two passing lanes near Heaven's Rest and Maramarua Golf Club will be closed:
- Thursday, January 2 - 9am to 10pm
- Friday, January 3 - 9am to 10pm
- Sunday, January 5 - 9am to 10pm
Campbell says holidaymakers can expect "slightly longer queues" during closure periods.
"We expect minimal impact to overall travel times. We ask drivers to be patient and allow extra time for their journeys, so everyone gets where they're going safely."
The NZTA advises that traffic flow will dictate the reopening of passing lanes - if traffic remains heavy, the closures will be extended.
New Zealand road safety charity, Brake, has reminded drivers to follow 'the Brake Pledge' this holiday season:
- Slow: Drive within speed limits, drive at 30km/h or lower in communities, and slow down on rural roads too. Avoid overtaking unless you're sure it's safe.
- Sober: If driving, don't drink any alcohol, or take any illegal drugs or medication that could affect driving.
- Sharp: Drive alert - not tired, ill or stressed. Plan your journey so you have plenty of time, and take breaks every two hours on long journeys. Have an eye test at least every two years and wear glasses or contact lenses if needed.
- Silent: Phone off or on message service. Minimise other distractions such as sat-nav/GPS and tuning the radio as much as possible.
- Secure: Always belt up and insist that everyone else in the vehicle does the same and adjusts head restraints. If travelling with children, ensure you have correctly fitted, appropriate child restraints.
"Already this year more than 300 families have been given the devastating news that a loved one won't be coming home," Brake's New Zealand director Caroline Perry said.
"This time of year can be particularly risky because lots of us drive long distances with our families, risking fatigue, distractions and speeding in order to get to our destination. But the consequence could be that you don't get there at all.
"We want everyone to get to their destination safely and enjoy the holiday period, so slow down, keep your attention on the road and take regular breaks."
The official holiday period will begin at 4pm on Tuesday, December 24 and end at 6am on Friday, January 3. As of Sunday, there have been 337 deaths on New Zealand's roads this year - with 23 fatalities in December alone.
According to the Ministry of Transport, there were nine deaths, nine fatal crashes and 394 injuries on the road during the 2018/2019 Christmas and New Year holiday period.
