Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is asking motorists to plan ahead, slow down and drive to the conditions for a safe journey this Labour Day weekend.
“Roads in and out of the Wellington region are likely to be very busy before and during the long weekend, especially on State Highway 1,” Regional Transport Systems Manager Mark Owen says.
“Congestion and delays are inevitable during peak times, so we want to remind drivers to leave plenty of time for their journey, plan ahead before leaving home and drive to the conditions.
“We want everyone to arrive at their destination safely and we all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe. Make sure you watch your speed, keep a safe following distance, be patient and take regular breaks.
“We’re predicting traffic to be especially heavy on State Highway 1 northbound, starting on Friday afternoon, with the busiest times expected to be between 10am and 7pm. Southbound is also expected to busy throughout the weekend, but especially on Friday afternoon, Sunday and Monday.
“For those travelling on State Highway 2, we expect southbound traffic to be heaviest on Monday, particularly in the late afternoon.”
Leaving at non-peak hours can make travel safer and more enjoyable, so Waka Kotahi is encouraging everyone to check out the holiday journeys map which shows predicted traffic flow across popular journeys over the Labour Day weekend based on previous years travel patterns.
Holiday journeys map(external link)
Because predicted peak times can change based on incidents, weather and even driver behaviour, people should also check the real time Journey Planner for latest traffic and travel information before heading off.
Journey Planner(external link)
On-road safety
- Be patient when driving on the roads this long weekend so everyone can relax and enjoy the holiday together.
- Keep a safe following distance.
- Drive to the conditions.
- Take regular breaks to stay alert.
- Allow plenty of time. You’re on holiday, no need to rush.
Vehicle safety
Planning a trip for Labour Day weekend? Checked your tyres? Put the safety of you and your passengers first and make sure your WoF is up-to-date before you head off.
Your vehicle must be safe to drive, so before you head off on your journey, check our car safety basics guide.
Check your car – safety basics guide
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:
