Don’t let your brain go on holiday when you are driving this long weekend, says the Automobile Association.

“If every driver does common-sense things like driving to the conditions, not speeding, staying focussed on the road and getting everyone to buckle up it will mean less crashes and less people hurt,” says AA Motoring Affairs General Manager Mike Noon.

“If people do the simple road-safety basics, and we have a bit of luck on our side, we’ve seen that it is possible to have a long weekend with no fatal crashes.”

Queen’s Birthday weekend in 2013 had no road deaths but last year five people were killed from three fatal crashes.

As winter starts to take hold around the country, people need to take extra care.

If it is wet or visibility is poor you need to slow down, increase your following distance and turn on your headlights.

Drivers also need to be mindful of sun-strike in the mornings and late afternoon, when the low sun can hit car windscreens in a way that makes it very difficult to see.

“Even if you can see well, other drivers around you could be struggling to see clearly in those sun-strike danger times so be extra cautious.

“The first half of 2015 has not been a good one for road deaths but if we all play our part we can turn things around for the rest of the year.”

AA’s Queen’s Birthday safety tips:

• Drive to winter conditions
• Stick to the speed limit
• Make sure everyone buckles up
• Avoid cellphones and other driving distractions

For more information contact:

Mike Noon
General Manager Motoring Affairs
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. 04 931 9984
M. 021 659 704
E. mnoon@aa.co.nz