Lower threshold for higher road safety

The crash risk for fatal or serious crashes is 14 per cent higher during Labour Weekend. Photo / File

The speed limit threshold has been lowered to 4km/h over the limit for the long weekend.

Police are warning they will be out in force throughout the region - targeting speeding, seatbelts and drink-driving.

Eastern road policing manager Inspector Matt Broderick said Labour Weekend was traditionally a busy time on local roads due to an influx of visitors.

"Long weekends inevitably see an increase in traffic on our roads and our aim is to make sure the roads are kept safe and drivers are doing their bit. We just want everyone to have an enjoyable weekend and to get to their destinations safely."

One person was killed on the roads during Labour Weekend last year - the lowest number of road deaths recorded during a Labour Weekend since records began.

However, 83 reported injury crashes left 20 others with serious injuries.

Nationally, the crash risk for fatal or serious crashes is 14 per cent higher during Labour Weekend. Particularly risky times are Friday from 12pm to 6pm and Sunday from 6pm to 4am on Monday.

As has become the norm during all holiday weekends, the speed limit threshold has been lowered to 4km/h until Tuesday morning.

Mr Broderick said there would also be breath test and licence checkpoints targeting the times and places where people were most likely to drink and drive. "We also encourage drivers to be patient and considerate towards each other especially given the expected higher volumes of traffic on the roads. If you're towing, or driving a slower vehicle, regularly check your mirrors to ensure other traffic isn't backing up behind you and causing frustration for others, and then pull over where appropriate. Police can and do ticket those impeding other traffic where appropriate."

Severe weather is not expected to hamper driving in Hawke's Bay, although MetService is predicting showers and fresh cool southerly winds developing mid morning today, with a high of 16C and a chilly overnight low of 5C.

Tomorrow would see showers in the morning, becoming fine in the afternoon, with southerly winds dying out.

Top five road safety tips

*Allow enough time to reach your destination by driving under the speed limit.
*Be a legend - stop a mate driving drunk.
*Remind everyone to buckle up before you set off.
*Take breaks along the way.
*Make time to stop if you want to use your cellphone - turn it off when you drive