In Southland, there were eight last year and 12 in 2018.
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In the past two weeks alone, four people have lost their lives in crashes around the region.
Yesterday, one person died and one was injured in a crash on State Highway1.
where two helicopters, alongside police, fire and St John were at the scene.
And, as holidaymakers prepare to hit the roads in droves over the coming weeks, police are pleading with motorists to drive safely and ensure they make it home.
Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh, of Dunedin, said impaired driving, speed, distraction, and people not wearing seatbelts had all been factors in various serious crashes this year.
Crash hot spots included the northern and southern approaches to Oamaru, Moeraki, the highways between Dunedin and Evansdale and Dunedin and Milton, and the northern and southern approaches to Balclutha.
The difference between a near-miss and a serious or fatal crash could come down to luck, he said.
"It’s tragic, at the end of the day. These are people that won’t be there for Christmas, they won’t be there for wedding anniversaries, they won’t be there for birthdays.
"They’re all tragedies and absolutely needless."
Because people could not head overseas on holiday, New Zealand roads were likely to be busier as people travelled domestically.
That meant people needed to consider fatigue when travelling long distances, he said.
"Someone travelling at those speeds won’t have time to react if a kid runs out in front of them."
The silly season was called that for a reason, and many people would be indulging at Christmas and New Year parties.
Because of that, a dedicated impairment prevention team has been established to ensure people are not drinking and driving.
"We will be out there, we will be visible, and we will be breath-testing everyone."
Snr Sgt Leigh acknowledged people could become desensitised to safety messages.
They thought it could never happen to them — but it could, and it did.
"We’ve all got families, we all travel. That could easily be one of us."
The Otago Daily Times has launched a three part series, Not Coming Home, which examines the South's horror road toll. This year Otago has had the highest number of road fatalities since 2007 and 11 lives have been lost in Southland. As people around the South hit the road over the holidays, there is a simple message - keep alert and get home safely.
On Monday police reporter Daisy Hudson will report on the officers who deal with death on our roads and the toll it takes on them. On Tuesday she will explore the long, painful and traumatic aftermath of serious crashes and talk to Dunedin medical staff, as well as a brave woman whose head injury 30 years ago forever changed her life.
