Concerns over the rise of youth gangs, Hurricane Ian rips through Florida and speed changes on the way for more than 1600 Auckland roads in the latest NZ Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald
Traffic is at a stand-still along parts of Auckland's motorway network, with the beginning of the school holidays and bad weather contributing to delays for motorists.
Waka Kotahi NZTA's live traffic map shows traffic is crawling on the parts of the Southern Motorway, as congestion backs up heading south from Spaghetti Junction to Drury.
The Southwestern Motorway is also heavy from about the Waterview Tunnel to the interchange with the southern at Manukau.
A crash at the Waterview Tunnel southbound entrance blocked two lanes, with traffic backing up to St Lukes on the westbound Northwestern Motorway. It has now been cleared.
UPDATE 5:25PM One right lane remains blocked as the final vehicle is being towed, with 2 left lanes now available. Please drive with care and continue to expect delays. ^LB https://t.co/9fT5dwz8v5
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 30, 2022
A crash on the right northbound lane after the Northcote on-ramp is also delayed travellers on the North Shore. It has now been cleared.
UPDATE 5:25PM This crash is now clear of lanes. Expect delays as congestion eases. ^LB https://t.co/fzuR5hQsWM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 30, 2022
Further north, a crash near the intersection of Murdoch Crescent in Whangārei blocked the southbound lane. Waka Kotahi NZTA advised motorists to follow the directions of emergency services and expect delays in both directions. The crash has now been cleared.
SH1 WHANGAREI - 5:35PM Due to a crash, the southbound lane is blocked on #SH1 near the intersection of Murdoch Cres in Whangārei. Follow directions of emergency services and expect delays in both directions: https://t.co/OIsfrBsN8H. ^LB pic.twitter.com/iVxbF2IcaI
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 30, 2022
Earlier, a crash on the Auckland Harbour Bridge blocked northbound lanes at 3.25pm. The crash was cleared at 3.40pm.
A breakdown at 3.55pm has blocked the middle northbound lane near the Hillsborough Rd off-ramp on the Southwestern Motorway. Waka Kotahi NZTA warns to expect delays.
At 3.40pm a crash blocked the right westbound lane on State Highway 16 just after the link to the SH20 Waterview Tunnel. It was cleared at 4pm.
A crash has also blocked the right northbound lane on SH1 just after the Highbrook Rd off-ramp. At 4.15pm, Waka Kotahi NZTA tweeted that the lane remained blocked.
SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY - 3:55PM A breakdown is blocking the middle northbound lane on #SH20 adjacent to Hillsborough Rd off-ramp. Pass with care and expect delays. ^LB pic.twitter.com/rt1BsnyM5J
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 30, 2022
A crash on the Southern Motorway about 3pm blocked a southbound lane just after the Redoubt Rd off-ramp.
Traffic on the Southern and Northwestern Motorways at Manukau is also heavy after a crash in the early afternoon blocked two northbound lanes just before the Lambie Rd off-ramp. It has since been cleared, but delays remain.
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 30, 2022
UPDATE 3:40PM This crash has now been pushed off the bridge. Expect northbound delays from the Spaghetti Jctn as congestion resumes to normal. ^LB https://t.co/fhBpoVaT7A
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 30, 2022
UPDATE 4:00PM This crash is now clear. Continue to expect westbound delays through the area on #SH16. ^LB https://t.co/5elKZLHkPg
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 30, 2022
A serious crash on the Desert Road, State Highway 1 between Waiouru and Rangipo could also cause delays as emergency services respond.
The transport authority is warning motorcyclists and motorists in the South Island driving a caravan, campervan or any high-sided vehicle to take care in high winds between Springs Junction and Reefton, SH7.
In Wellington, a rockfall earlier in the day on a scenic route out of the city slowed some motorists down on SH59 at Pukerua Bay. The rockfall is now clear.
Also in Wellington, a slip on Remutaka Hill caused reduced speed limits temporarily between Upper Hutt and Featherston, but it has since cleared.
The exodus from the big cities for school holidays has begun – with motorists and families leaving work early and heading to holiday getaway spots.
While the weather for the first weekend of the holidays won't be that seasonal – rain and showers are forecast for a lot of the country – it hasn't stopped Kiwis heading away before the normal late afternoon/early evening rush hours.
By lunchtime before the school holidays, traffic was already building in the country's largest city as holiday makers escape. The red indicates slower speeds. Photo / Google Maps
And as travel begins, police and road safety advocates have urged everyone to drive to survive; with the holidays coming at the end of a September where eight people died in just a week.
The country's top road policing boss is urging drivers to be responsible to prevent serious crashes during the school holidays which start this weekend.
New Zealand director of road policing Superintendent Stephen Greally told the Herald the number of people losing their lives on roads was concerning and horrific.
"Most of these crashes are unnecessary. This is happening because some drivers are making poor decisions - speeding, using devices while driving and not wearing seat belts.
"It is heartbreaking when we have to knock on someone's door to inform them that their loved one has died in a car crash."
Areas of rain over the South Island and lower North Island should gradually clear as we head through today. However, rain is expected to become widespread over the upper North Island by the end of the day.
Students Against Dangerous Driving (Kaitiaki o Ara) general manager Donna Govorko is also asking motorists to take time to consider their responsibility and drive safely these school holidays.
"Help us all to get to our destination safe and alive," Govorko said.
"It is very disappointing to see that the number of people being killed or seriously injured on our roads keeps going up.
"What needs to happen to make people understand that we can do more as a community to turn this around? Many fatal and serious injury crashes are avoidable by making a few changes.
REMINDER - Daytime slip repair works will take place on the #SH1 Brynderwyn Hills between 6am & 5pm TODAY (Fri 30 Sep) and from Mon to Fri next week (03 - 07 Oct). Delays can be expected: https://t.co/nsSLtQpfmA ^LB pic.twitter.com/oSDwhUmkOt
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 29, 2022
"Drive to the conditions, no distractions, safe speeds, drive sober, wear your seat belt."
Govorko said these were simple things motorists could do to be safer.
"The decisions we make don't just impact us they impact other road users and their families."
