Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging drivers to keep Christmas travel easy and crash free by planning ahead for safe summer road trips.
NZTA has updated our popular online holiday journeys traffic prediction tool, which shows predicted traffic flows over the Christmas and New Year holiday, based on previous year’s travel patterns. This handy ‘trip hack’ is a great way to plan your trips and avoid the stress of getting caught up in lengthy delays.
Holiday journeys traffic prediction tool | NZTA Journey Planner(external link)
NZTA wants everyone to get to their destinations safely. More cars on the road, tired drivers and people driving on unfamiliar roads can all add up to make holiday driving stressful and risky. But there are simple things we can all do to stay safe.
We encourage everyone to check that their car is safe before heading off, keep your speeds down, drive sober, watch for signs of fatigue and share the driving on long trips.
Always drive to the conditions, which can change quickly. Check the weather forecast before leaving home, as well as our real-time traffic updates for any incidents or closures.
Weather warnings | MetService(external link)
Highway conditions | NZTA Journey Planner(external link)
Tips for safe driving on your summer holiday
Drive to the conditions, allow plenty of time and take regular breaks to stay alert.
- Watch your speed and following distances, and make sure you always overtake safely.
- Always wear a seatbelt and make sure all your passengers are buckled up too.
- Always drive to the conditions. If the weather is bad, slow down, avoid sudden braking, and turn your headlights on if visibility is bad. Be safe, be seen.
- Never drive tired. If you are on a long trip, make sure you take breaks to keep yourself alert.
- Avoid distractions. Never ever use a cellphone while driving.
- Make sure you check the road conditions before you travel. Our handy holiday journey planner has all the details on when traffic congestion will be at its worst. Drivers are urged to use it so they can plan their trips to avoid busier travel periods.
Driving in the holidays(external link)
Vehicle safety
- Your vehicle must be safe to drive before you set off on your summer holiday.
- Check that the Warrant of Fitness or Certificate of Fitness is up to date on any vehicle you plan to drive, including rentals.
- There are basic checks you can do yourself, including:
- Tyres – minimum tread is 1.5mm but the more tread, the better the grip.
- Lights – check that all lights work so your vehicle is visible in poor light.
- Indicators – ensure all indicators work so people know which direction you are moving.
- Windscreen and wipers – check for wear and tear so you can see the road safely
For more information on self-checks, visit our Check your car web page:
