For the first time since 2019, there has not been a death on Otago and Southland roads during the annual holiday road toll period.
Senior Sergeant Brent Kingsland, of Southland, said while there had been no fatal crashes on southern roads, there had definitely been some close calls.
"We have had quite a few reasonably serious crashes.
"Speed, fatigue, impaired driving from drugs and drinking all contribute, but the main contributing factor is just the sheer volume of vehicles on the road."
Yesterday, two vehicles collided on State Highway8 between Alexandra and Fruitlands, leaving two people in a critical condition and four others with minor to moderate injuries.
Speaking at the scene, Senior Sergeant Clint Wright, of Alexandra, said emergency services were called to the incident at 12.25pm.
"Early indications are that one of the vehicles may have been on the wrong side of the road," Snr Sgt Wright said.
Three helicopters, three police vehicles, three St John ambulances, one support St John vehicle and two fire appliances attended.
Traffic was diverted through Earnscleugh until the road reopened at 4pm.
Nationally, the final holiday road count, which ran from 4pm on December 22 to 6am yesterday, reached 20. The Waikato region was the scene of eight of those deaths.
The number of people killed this holiday period is slightly down from last year, when 21 people died during the same period.
Information from the Ministry of Transport showed of those that died, nine were drivers, nine were passengers and two were motorcyclists.
Snr Sgt Kingsland said even through the official holiday road toll period had ended, the roads would still be busier than usual.
"The roads are very busy.
"I’ve policed the last three days and there was definitely a lot of traffic flow coming out of Central Otago.
"Just be patient on the road.
"Pull over if you are tired, and if the speed you are going means people are coming up behind you, pull over and let them pass," Snr Sgt Kingsland said.
