Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
When it comes to Easter weekend road trips, do you plan ahead and leave eggxtra early or fit in with fellow travellers?
NZ Tansport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is encouraging people to make use of its Holiday Journey Planner tool to plan ahead to avoid traffic delays and have safer, more enjoyable journeys.
The Holiday Journey Planner is an up-to-date map with information on high impact road works, closures and delays – because predicted peak times for travel regularly change based on traffic incidents, weather or driver behaviour.
Holiday Journeys – Easter Weekend 2024(external link)
The holiday planner shows two hotspots in particular where motorists can expect heavier than usual traffic flows, on SH3 near Mount Messenger and on SH3 north of Whanganui. The holiday planner shows the heaviest volume of traffic is likely to be on Friday around midday and again late afternoon on Monday.
NZTA Systems Manager for Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki, Liesl Dawson says planning is very much the key to having an enjoyable safe trip.
“Unlike last year, school holidays don’t coincide with the long weekend. Many schools have teacher-only days on Tuesday so families may take the opportunity to take an extra day’s holiday.
“Roading crews have downed tools as of midday Thursday to ensure minimal delays for travellers through work sites. The Easter weekend moratorium on roadworks finishes at midnight on Tuesday morning.
“That means, for Tuesday travellers, traffic might be a little slower on the roads than usual through some worksites.
Ms Dawson advises drivers to adjust their speed according to road conditions and remain vigilant for potential delays, temporary traffic management, and reduced speeds in certain areas. With the typical Easter weekend congestion expected in some locations, it’s important to note that certain work sites might maintain lower speeds even without active crews present.
There are simple things we can all do to help keep everyone on the roads safe:
- Check your vehicle is safe to drive. Check your tyres, wipers, lights and indicators, and ensure you have a valid Warrant of Fitness before you leave.
- Drive to the conditions – whether it’s the weather, the road you’re on, the time of day or the volume of traffic on the roads.
- Make sure everyone does up their seat belt after a break outside the car.
- Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely, and share the driving if possible.
- People towing caravans and boats need to ensure their roadworthiness before attaching them to the tow bar. Stack heavy items toward the front to balance the load and remember the speed limit is 90k/h for towing vehicles. Pull over frequently and let queues pass when safe to do so.
