Police are calling on road users to "respect each other" as the holiday death toll climbs to amongst the highest in the last decade with two more days to go.
The death of a person in a single-vehicle crash near Gisborne and that of a pedestrian hit by a car in Tauranga, both on Sunday, have taken New Zealand's holiday death toll to 14.
The official Christmas/New Years holiday period runs between 4pm on December 14 and 6am on January 5. Last year's final count was 11, up from four the period prior and nine over 2018/19.
The 2021/22 toll is already the fourth-highest of the last decade and may climb higher with just under two days to go. Over both the 2016/17 and 2011/12 periods, there were 19 deaths.
Bruce O'Brien, the assistant commissioner of deployment and road policing, is pleading with drivers to be patient and keep calm on the roads as people begin returning home to work or relocate to another holiday hotspot.
He said the 14 deaths represent "14 families who are entering the New Year without a loved one".
With more caravans, campervans, motorcyclists and cyclists on the roads over summer, O'Brien said it is crucial that all road users behave safely, meaning no speeding or making decisions with possibly devastating consequences.
"Static (fixed) and mobile safe speed cameras, and red-light cameras will be operating so drive like there is a camera around the corner.
"Fatigue is a factor in many road crashes, so before you start a long-distance drive make sure you are well rested and have had a good meal beforehand."
Drivers are reminded they are not the only ones using the road and must take "responsibility for themselves and other road users".
"All road users should respect each other and be aware they each have responsibilities to uphold on the road," O'Brien said.
"Long and heavy trucks are also travelling up and down New Zealand, so drivers need to approach them with caution and respect.
"The risk of a fatal crash is too high when bad decisions are made around trucks as they can’t stop quickly and can cause significant harm."
Drivers should wait for a passing lane or slow bay before passing, especially when passing a truck, caravan or campervan, and should also watch their following distance, allowing room to react if something goes wrong ahead.
"You may not make a mistake but somebody else might.
"We want everyone travelling on our roads to do so safely wherever and whenever that may be.
To deter unsafe driving behaviour Police will be out on our roads anytime and anywhere and there will be checkpoints across the country to make sure drivers, passengers and vehicles are safe.
"Make sure you have the appropriate driver licence and your vehicle has its proper certificates, warrants and registration before you hit the road."
The AA said on Saturday that despite 2021's COVID-19 lockdowns, the annual death toll had only dropped by one to 319. There were 320 deaths in 2020, down from 350 in 2019, but above the 292 in 2014 and 253 in 2013.
