The AA is expecting New Zealand’s highways to be extra busy these holidays, meaning drivers need to take extra care.

“With fuel prices low, Christmas falling on a Friday and record numbers of tourists coming to our shores the conditions are lined-up for huge numbers of holidaymakers to head away on the roads,” says AA spokesperson Dylan Thomsen.

“A lot of people are going to be heading out from the cities and driving on unfamiliar roads that are carrying much more traffic than usual. That really increases the risks of a crash so the AA is urging everyone to drive to the conditions and stay safe.”

The four key holiday driving tips the AA would like drivers to remember are:

• Drive the right speed for the conditions. On wet, narrow or windy roads this may be lower than the speed limit.
• More traffic means more chance for someone to make a mistake. Keep a good following distance so you’ve got time to react safely.
• Don’t drive tired. Get a good sleep before a big drive, take regular breaks and swap drivers if you can.
• Let faster vehicles pass. If you’re towing or have a line of vehicles behind you then pull over and let them pass.

“Driving to the conditions is not just about the weather, it’s also about adjusting to the road and traffic around you,” says Mr Thomsen.

“A lot of our rural roads and highways leave no room for error, especially when they get full of traffic at this time of year.

“The speed limit might be 100km/h but if you are on a road with vehicles turning on and off it, a ditch running next to it or it’s wet because it’s been raining, you need to take extra care and drive slower.”

Last year 16 people died and 78 were seriously injured over the official Christmas/New Year holiday period. The most common factors involved in crashes were a driver losing control of their vehicle, travelling too fast for the conditions and driver inattention.

Safe driving.

For more information contact:

Dylan Thomsen
Senior Communications Adviser
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. 04 931 9991
M. 027 703 9935
E. dthomsen@aa.co.nz