Horror road toll prompts warning

Scene of a fatal crash on Dun Road at Kaingaroa Village south of Rotorua. Photo / Ben Fraser

Drivers are urged to drive to the conditions during winter after car crashes over the long weekend killed 11 people, the worst Queen's Birthday Weekend road toll in 27 years.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has launched its Winter Journeys campaign, which encouraged drivers to plan ahead to reduce winter driving risks.

"There are more vehicle crashes during June and August when motorists are likely to encounter fewer daylight hours and wetter, more slippery roads," NZ Transport Agency Auckland and Northland director and road safety director Ernst Zollner said.

"The room for mistakes is reduced when road and weather conditions are less favourable, and we don't want anyone's mistake to end in an avoidable tragedy."

He advised drivers to allow more time for travel, slow down, being prepared for unexpected hazards and allow greater following distance.

The scene of a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 2 near Masterton on June 5. Photo / Supplied

Advice for drivers

• Slow down and watch your following distances. It only takes a split second to lose control on a wet road.

• Maintain a four-second following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

• Plan your journey, check weather and road conditions and choose the safest route. If possible avoid travelling in extreme weather and road conditions.

•Observe road closures and restrictions.

SOURCE: NZTA

Queen's Birthday road toll 2016

• Three people died on Monday in a crash near Dargaville at 6.45pm

• A man died when his motorcycle crashed head-on into a car on Harris Rd in Huntly at 3pm, Waikato on Monday.

• Two men died following a two-vehicle crash on Sunday on State Highway 2, near Mt Bruce in northern Wairarapa. One man died at the scene and another later at Wellington Hospital.

• A man died after his car crashed into a tree on Dun Rd near Kaingaroa Forest east of Taupo on Sunday.

• A person died in a three-vehicle crash on SH1 at Greta Valley between Christchurch and Kaikoura when a car and truck collided shortly on Saturday.

• A motorcyclist died on Castlebane Dr in South Auckland when the motorbike drove into a parked car on Saturday.

• A person died in a crash on State Highway 3 between Te Kuiti and Piopio shortly on Saturday.

• Stuart Ernest Windle, 64, of Kaikoura died at the scene of a five-car crash on State Highway 1 near the intersection of Apes Rd, north of Dunedin on Friday.