Traffic warnings for those travelling over the Christmas break

Holiday goers are being urged to plan ahead and avoid delays. Photo / Derek Flynn

Aucklanders are being urged to plan ahead to avoid delays if they are getting away for the Christmas break.

Congestion on the roads can be frustrating at any time of year, but during the busy holiday season it can be worse than ever.

Auckland Transport's chief transport operations officer Andrew Allen said there were four causes of congestion which drivers should avoid.

"Usually it's drivers cutting-in, following too close to the vehicle in front, rubber-necking or being distracted like using their cell phone. A heavy dab on the brakes can cause a ripple effect right down the motorway, turning free flowing traffic into a sticky jam.

"All drivers have to do is always maintain their following distance and give plenty of warning before changing lanes, so use your indicators."

Motorists can also help avoid delays by staggering their journeys outside of the busiest periods and checking NZTA's real time traffic information services for the latest updates.

"Roads across Auckland and Northland are always busy at this time of year as people visit family and friends and there are often incidents that cause delays, but if everyone allows plenty of time for their journey, drives to the conditions and plans ahead before leaving home the worst of the frustrations can be eased," said NZTA's Auckland and Northland highway manager Brett Gliddon.

"Data from previous years shows state highways will be busy throughout the middle of the day all the way from the 23rd of December to the 4th of January, with some particularly heavy times on individual routes and days."

Auckland Airport said in a tweet today that travellers should allow an extra half hour to make their way through the busy terminal on Thursday.

"Tomorrow is one of our busiest international travel days this summer."

Tomorrow is one of our busiest international travel days this summer. Please allow an extra 30 mins for your journey through the terminal. pic.twitter.com/jfxGlGy0yz

— Auckland Airport (@AKL_Airport) December 21, 2016

Coastguard has also strongly urged boaties to be vigilant this summer and know the basic safety rules when going out on the water.

"Coastguard recommends that everyone on board a boat less than 6 metres should wear a lifejacket at times of heightened risk," said Coastguard chief executive Patrick Holmes.

"Most accidents occur suddenly, with no warning - there may be no time to grab a lifejacket, and it is extremely difficult to put one on in the water. Boats can sink very quickly and wearing a lifejacket is easily the simplest way to increase your survival time in the water if things go wrong."

There were 19 boating related fatalities last year.

Hot spots on the road
-SH1 between Puhoi and Wellsford: Northbound from Christmas day through to New Year's Eve.
Southbound traffic is heaviest from January 1 to January 4.
-SH1 Kawakawa south of Bay of Islands- Heaviest southbound on January 1 and January 2.
-SH1 Whangarei- Busiest on December 23, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
-SH1 at Takanini- Southbound busy from December 23 to December 28. While northbound from January 3 and 4 are the heaviest.
-SH2 Maramarua Interchange with SH1- Eastbound delays are most likely on Christmas Eve from about 3pm and again on Boxing day through to December 30. Also on January 2. Westbound it's busiest from January 1 to January 4.
-SH20A to Airport- Add an extra 30 minutes to your journey with extra traffic in the area and some road works causing delays over the holiday period.
-Neilson St Onehunga- Closed between Galway St and Onehunga Mall to demolish the rail bridge from December 27 until January 15.
-Southern Corridor SH1- Narrowed lanes and 80km/h speed restrictions will be in place during the holiday period.