Christmas road toll: New Zealand’s most dangerous places to drive this week

Last year, 15 people were killed on the roads during Christmas and 22 were killed during the same time the year before.

Holiday hotspots have been identified as high-risk locations, with Thames-Coromandel having a 168.3% increase in fatal crashes over the past 25 years.

The South Island’s West Coast was a close second as a high-risk spot, with a 153.4% increase in fatal crashes during the holiday period, followed by Central Hawke’s Bay with a 128.1% jump.

Waikato (25) and the Far North (23) had the highest number of road deaths over the 25 years out of those districts where the proportion of road deaths rose during the Christmas holiday period.

You can see all the Christmas holiday crashes by type, location and time period on this interactive map. Charts showing the areas with the most crashes and the biggest proportional changes are added below.

AA road safety spokesman Dylan Thomsen said the increase in crashes and casualties in those regions during the Christmas period overall comes down to traffic volumes and exposure to risk.

Holidaymakers will be flocking to areas that generally don’t have large volumes of traffic year-round, so the roads tend not to be built for the summer influx, he said.

“You also have people unfamiliar with those roads and that environment. It just means if somebody makes a mistake, they tend to be really unforgiving roads.”

He stressed that drivers needed to be more focused at this time of year, given the increased risk.

“One of the funny things, people generally think of winter as the riskier time to be travelling on the roads, but summertime is when we have the most crashes in New Zealand – and that is because we have more traffic.

“Relax at the beach or the bach but not behind the wheel.”

Superintendent Steve Greally, director of road policing, told the Herald police would be out on the roads over the next two weeks targeting speed, distracted drivers, non-wearing of seatbelts, and impairment.

Police aren’t easing up on making sure the road safety messages sink in; Greally said even after years of campaigns, “too many people still make dumb decisions”.

“Christmas is a time for family – it should be a happy occasion, but over the years too many people have died needlessly on our roads.

“For us, it doesn’t get much worse than telling a family their loved one has been killed or seriously hurt in a crash, and at this time of year it’s even more horrific … one minute families are planning Christmas dinner, the next, they’re planning a funeral.

“You can’t describe the horror of seeing someone’s world collapse like that.”

Greally said drivers must step up and take responsibility for their actions.

“If you don’t think the rules matter, ask yourself: ‘Who do I want to kill? Myself, my passengers, the people in the other car?’”

Greally said police couldn’t control the actions of every driver at all hours and road safety was “something we all have to take responsibility for”.

“We all need to do better and stop accepting that people dying on our roads is what happens when driving. We can all play our part so that no one is harmed on our roads. Let’s make it a summer to remember on our roads for all the good reasons. We can all work together to avoid road trauma.”

NZTA has urged drivers to plan ahead before hitting the road.

“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,” an NZTA spokesperson said.

“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.”

Holidaymakers are being urged to drive carefully. Photo / RNZ / Peter de Graaf

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 periodsA crash on State Highway 25A between Thames and Coromandel. Photo / Brett Phibbs

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.

Chris Knox is a scientist turned data-journalist who investigates the stories behind the numbers, and creates interactives for Herald readers to explore them.