Waikato Police credit driver attitudes for fatal free holiday weekend on region's roads

Reflecting on a fatal free Labour weekend Waikato Police say a combination of variable weather, larger than usual traffic volumes and driver attitudes all played a part in keeping motorists safe.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said while the national road toll for the official holiday period between 4pm Friday and 6am today was too high, it was a relief none of the seven deaths occurred on Waikato Roads.

"At 34 deaths from 31 crashes so far this year, our road toll is already the highest of the 12 Police Districts in the country so we approach holiday periods with some trepidation.

"But it appears, with two road deaths on Waikato roads the night before the holiday period began, many drivers gave more than just a passing thought to road safety. "

Mr Tooman said while holiday makers were hitting the road in search of fine weather the variable conditions played a part in keeping them safe.

"Often what we find is drivers tend to button off their speed in the wet, they actually do try to drive to the conditions. At the same time higher traffic volumes restricted drivers from reaching excessive speeds."

"The vast majority of drivers heeded the messages and exercised patience on the roads but there are always a few willing to place themselves and other road users at risk."

Mr Tooman said as was to be expected, southbound traffic was very heavy on the Waikato's busiest routes on Friday while traffic heading north was equally heavy on Monday.

"The highest speed recorded on SH3 was 120km/h in a 100km/h speed-zone while the highest speed recorded on SH1 was 138km/h. Traffic on SH2 and SH25 was too congested to allow high speeds."

With the first long weekend out of the way Mr Tooman said Police were keen for people to make sure their boat trailers, caravans and trailers were serviceable before the Christmas holiday period.

"A lot of the traffic on the roads over Labour Weekend was vehicles towing boats or caravans. What we would really like to see is people making the effort now to make sure not only the person behind the wheel but the vehicle and items being towed are all fit for the road this summer."