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Summer holiday travel can bring frustration and unexpected delays, and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says it is doing its part to help make journeys smoother across the South Island.
As thousands of New Zealanders take to state highways from the pre-Christmas period onward, NZTA says drivers should expect busier roads and potential delays as people travel long distances, rush to reach destinations, or become fatigued.
“If you are travelling, especially for long distances, there are some basic things you can do to help ensure you and your family get to your holiday destination safely,” NZTA system manager for the central South Island Mark Pinner says.
“Make sure you plan ahead using our Journey Planner, so you know of any issues you are likely to encounter along the way. We’ve removed all planned roadworks and restrictions to journeys to ensure that, at the busiest time of year, people can travel with the least disruption.”
Mark says temporary speed limits and traffic management will be removed over the Christmas–New Year period from December 20 to January 5, although some lower speed limits and lane delineation will remain in place where rockfall risks or river and coastal erosion repairs are still underway following earlier storms.
“Certain sections of state highway will be busy with traffic, which is why it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. A good tool is our Holiday Journey Planner, which provides estimates of busy and peak travel times based on previous traffic volumes.
“Make sure you are well rested before travelling, take breaks if fatigue sets in, and drive to the conditions in front of you. While summer driving conditions are generally good, weather events such as thunderstorms, heavy rain, and high winds can still make travel hazardous.”
NZTA journey manager for Otago and Southland Nicole Felts says contractors in the region will down tools at worksites over the holiday period but will remain ready to respond to incidents to keep traffic flowing.
“The age-old safety messages apply this holiday season as much as ever,” Nicole says.
“Watch your speed and be patient when stuck in traffic or behind slower vehicles. Making a poor decision out of frustration can have terrible consequences. Avoiding drink-driving and wearing a seatbelt can be the difference between enjoying a great summer holiday and a tragedy with long-lasting impacts.
“People should be able to enjoy the holidays and have a drink if they wish, but if you know you are going to be driving, the simplest rule is not to drink at all and save it for when you are finished travelling.
“Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of being killed or seriously injured in a crash by about 40 per cent. If everyone wore their seatbelts, an estimated 20 lives could be saved on New Zealand roads each year. It’s a no-brainer to buckle up and make sure everyone in your vehicle is restrained.”
“From NZTA, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season,” Nicole says.
