Source: Radio New Zealand
Transport Agency urging drivers to plan ahead and be safe for their summer road trip. RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The Transport Agency is urging drivers to plan ahead for a safe summer road trip, as several accidents have snarled Auckland traffic on Christmas Eve.
It warned more cars on the road, tired drivers, and people driving on unfamiliar roads can all add up.
It encouraged everyone to check that their car was safe before heading off – and to avoid speeding, drive sober, and to watch for signs of fatigue. Also to drive to the conditions, which could change quickly, and to check the weather forecast before leaving home.
As for where the traffic will be…
Christmas Day
There is predicted to be some traffic in the North Island on 25 December, based on the Transport Agency’s data from previous years.
It will be busy on Auckland’s State Highway 1, from Manukau to Bombay, between 9am and 6.30pm.
It will be the heaviest between 10am and 1pm.
Further down, between Puhoi and Wellsford, it will be busy from 10am to 2.30pm.
In Waikato, it will be slow from Tīrau to Karapiro between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
On State Highway 2, from Pōkeno to Maramarua, the peak will be from 9.30am to 1.30pm.
In the Bay of Plenty, it will be busy from 10.30am to 12pm between Tauranga and Katikati on State Highway 2.
As well as on State Highway 29 in Kaimai, west of Tauranga, from 8.30am to 10.30am.
Down to the Manawatū-Whanganui Region, it will be a slog on State Highway 1 between Taihape and Waiouru from 10am to 3.30pm.
And from 10am to 12.30pm in Ōhau.
In the Wellington Region, it will be busy between Peka Peka and Ōtaki from 10.30am to 12pm.
There is only one place where Christmas Day traffic is predicted in the South Island, and that is on State Highway 1 between Ashburton and Christchurch from 8.30am and 10am.
Boxing Day
There is expected to be a lot more congestion on 26 December – on both the North and the South Island.
Beginning from State Highway 1 in Northland’s Kawakawa, in the Bay of Islands area, it will be busy for an hour from 2pm to 3pm.
And from Kaipara Flats to Pukerito from 9.30am to 1.30pm.
It will also be busy on Auckland’s State Highway 1, from Manukau to Bombay, between 9am and 6pm.
The heaviest period will be from 10am to 11.30am.
And between Puhoi and Wellsford from 9.30am to 4.30pm, with the heaviest period between 11am and 2.30pm.
In Waikato, it will be slow from Tīrau to Karapiro – once again – between 10am and 6pm.
On State Highway 2, from Pōkeno to Maramarua, it will be busy from 9am to 2pm.
And from 12pm to 1pm between Paeroa and Waihi.
In the Bay of Plenty, it will be busy from 10am to 3.30pm between Tauranga and Katikati on State Highway 2.
As well as on State Highway 29 in Kaimai, west of Tauranga, from 8am to 2.30pm.
In the Manawatū-Whanganui Region, it will be slow between Taihape and Waiouru from 10.30am to 4pm.
The heaviest period will be between 12pm and 3pm.
And from 9.30am to 5.30pm in Ōhau.
In the Wellington Region, it will be busy between Peka Peka and Ōtaki from 10am to 12.30pm, and from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
In the South Island, it will be slow from 10am to 12pm on Canterbury’s State Highway 1 in Waipara, north of Christchurch.
From 1pm to 2.30pm in Kaikōura.
South of Christchurch, there will be traffic to Ashburton between 8am and 1.30pm.
And from 8am to 2.30pm on State Highway 1 in Timaru.
On State Highway 79 in Geraldine for a short period of time between 12pm and 1pm.
For even less time on State Highway 7 in Lewis Pass – between 12pm and 12.30pm.
And last, but not least, on State Highway 6 in Queenstown from 11am to 3pm.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
