Road deaths lowest since 1968

The number of people dying on the roads these holidays has been the lowest in decades, says police national road safety manager Steve Fitzgerald.

The holiday period has so far seen nine deaths, which is the lowest since 1968 when eight people died on the roads.

With less than 24 hours to go until the end of the holiday break, Superintendent Fitzgerald said drivers were doing "very well".

The official holiday period began at 4pm on December 24 and will finish at 6am on Wednesday, January 5.

The latest deaths include a fatal crash on Saturday at Meremere, north of Hamilton, where police are investigating the possibility that a driver may have deliberately crossed the centre line into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

The road toll for the entire holiday period last year was 13.

- NZPA