Labour Weekend Traffic

Well done drivers!

Police had expected a busy night last night on New Zealand roads with the start of Labour Weekend. Traditionally traffic is very heavy from 4 pm on Friday afternoon with travellers heading away for the long weekend. Last night traffic was very quiet and during the period of the RWC Bronze final there was very little movement on our roads.

Labour Weekend traffic has generally been very well behaved with drivers keeping their speeds down and watching following distances. Police has adopted a lowered speed tolerance of 4 Km/h for the holiday weekend and drivers are taking note and behaving well.

"Reminding drivers about the lowered speed tolerance and the importance of safe following distances has made a real difference on the roads this weekend" said Superintendent Paula Rose, National Manager Road Policing today.

There has been 1 road death recorded this weekend. A young man in his 20's was killed in a two car collision in Napier, just after 7am this morning.

This death brings the 2011 road toll to 222 compared with almost 300 deaths for the same period last year.

"The road toll this year is very low so far, the lowest we have ever had and we want to keep in that way. The only way that will happen is for all of us to work together to make every journey a safe one, for everyone," said Superintendent Rose today.

Police are planning to continue a very high visible presence throughout the weekend.

For statistical information on holiday road toll:
http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/Land/landsafety/HolidayRoadToll/

Media please note:

Superintendent Rose will try to be available for interviews this weekend, to arrange an interview please contact:

After Hours Media pager - 026101082