Thirteen crashes in three hours in Waikato

File photo / NZ Herald

Police are concerned after a rash of road crashes today, including many cases of cars skidding off roads.

There were 13 reported crashes in just three hours in Waikato this morning and police said bad weather could trigger more accidents.

"Fortunately there have been no fatalities but in one crash early this morning a driver in Te Kuiti had to be airlifted to Waikato hospital," police said in a statement.

Police said all motorists, not just those in Waikato, needed to stick within the speed limits and drive carefully.

"We're prompted to make this appeal by the fact that we have had 13 reported vehicle crashes in our district between 8.00am and 11.00am today," police added.

"A common denominator is that vehicles are skidding off the road, which would suggest that too many people are driving too fast and inattentively for the road and weather conditions."

Crashes were happening in urban and rural areas and police promised to "step up" enforcement patrols.

"We still have a couple of days of predicted foul weather so people need to slow down and be careful."