Police will be out in force, keeping speeds down on Southern roads, this weekend.
The Queen’s Birthday weekend road toll period begins at 6pm tonight and will conclude at 6am on Tuesday.
During this time roads were expected to be busy with holiday makers, Otago Coastal area road policing manager Senior Sergeant Steve Larking said.
"Police will have extra staff patrolling the highway network as people travel to and from holiday destinations," he said.
"As well as police on patrol, the mobile speed cameras will be on duty at a number of locations across the highway network.
"Police remind drivers that if you drive at more than 4kmh over a posted speed limit you could receive a speeding infringement notice."
Police wanted everyone to reach their destination.
"Speed is the greatest factor in what outcome results from a crash, from death to serious or minor injuries," he said.
"All can be life-changing."
He urged road users to exercise patience when driving, allow travel extra time between destinations and for greater following distances if roads were wet.
"If you are driving a slower vehicle be considerate and allow faster vehicles to pass when safe to do so," he said.
Last year, one motorist died in the Southern district during Queen’s Birthday weekend, as the result of an accident near Karitane.
More than 500 infringements were issued throughout the district during the weekend.
Nationally, 11 motorists died last year, the deadliest Queen’s Birthday holiday road toll period since 1989.
Acting national manager road policing Inspector Gini Welch said roads were expected to be especially busy in the upper North Island were British and Irish Lions fans were gathering for the first match of the tour.
"While we cannot control other people’s behaviour, we are responsible for our own actions on the road.
"This means allowing for the fact that we are all human and that others can make mistakes that affect us — just as we need to allow for weather and other road conditions outside of our control," she said.
