With rain forecast to dampen a lot of New Zealand’s Easter break, the AA wants people to remember to adjust their driving if the roads are wet.

“If it has been raining, your car will take longer to stop and have less grip on the road,” says AA Motoring Affairs General Manager Mike Noon.

“Visibility will also be reduced, and we know that one of the most common causes of crashes is people failing to see something or someone else on the road.

“The key things drivers need to be doing in wet weather is to increase their following distance, use their headlights on dip during the day and slow their speed to adjust to the conditions.”

The other advice the AA would like to give drivers is to make sure their tyres are safe before heading away and use the AA Roadwatch service to check the road conditions.

“A tyre without much tread on it will have less grip in the wet and increase your braking distance. Check your tread depth and if you have a wheel near the 1.5mm legal minimum you want to look at replacing it. 

“Drivers can also stay up-to-date with any road closures or traffic incidents around the country by checking AA Roadwatch.”

With Anzac day following Easter closely next Friday there are likely to be a lot of people taking an extended break, meaning highways will be busier than usual and the risks on the roads increase.

Last Easter three people were killed on our roads but in 2012 there were no deaths, showing that it is possible to have a fatality free holiday period.

For more information contact:

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