"It doesn't have to happen, and it shouldn't happen. I don't want to lose any of my friends and loved ones, and I am sure no one else does either."

"The AA is asking motorists and their passengers to remember the following these holidays, in so doing improve the safety of our roads this holiday period:

Prepare well - check the tyres are properly inflated, don't overload the vehicle and maintain your lines of sight at all times, get a good night's sleep before driving, don't drive if you are tired and have regular breaks every couple of hours.

Be patient - there will be lots of traffic about so maintain your following distances, be considerate and pull over if you are holding up traffic, use passing lanes if you need to overtake but don't do so if the way ahead is congested with traffic.

Arrive safely - turn off your mobile phone or hand it over to a passenger, remain focused on the task at hand and don't get distracted by what's happening in the car or outside, keep your speed down, and please don't drink and drive or take drugs and drive.

For more information contact

Simon Lambourne
Public Affairs Manager
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. +64 9 966 8608
M. +64 21 659 029
E. slambourne@aa.co.nz

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.