Speed limit tolerance to be reduced over Xmas

File photo.

Police will once again reduce the speed tolerance on New Zealand's roads over the holiday period from 10km/h to 5km/h over the limit.

The official holiday period will begin at 4pm on Friday December 24 and end at 6am on Wednesday January 5. Police said they will be out in force over this period and will be targeting drivers detected driving over the 5km/h tolerance.

"Speed and alcohol are the key areas police will be focusing on this year, along with our usual pleas for drivers to exercise planning, patience and preparation," said Superintendent Paula Rose, national manager of road policing.

"We want to do everything we can to make sure that every journey is a safe journey but we also need drivers to play their part as well."

During the 2009/2010 Christmas holiday period there were 12 fatal crashes and 291 reported injury crashes. Those crashes resulted in 13 deaths, 67 serious injuries and 342 minor injuries. The deaths included six drivers, five passengers, one motorcyclist and one pedestrian.

All but one of the 13 deaths and 58 per cent of the injuries were from crashes that occurred on the open road.

A number of passing lanes will be closed to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

"With the high traffic volumes over this period, what we need is for the traffic to travel at uniform speeds to avoid hold-ups and dangerous and irrational overtaking," said Ms Rose.

"We want every one to get home with the minimum of frustration and to make it safely. "

- NZ Herald staff