Police are reminding drivers to take care on the roads this Labour weekend only a day after a teen was killed in a crash in Tauranga.
"... a fatal crash in Tauranga showed how lives can be cut short in a second, and families can be left with the heartbreak of losing a loved one," the statement said.
Despite the weather forecast for the weekend looking relatively promising, there would still be risks on the roads, the police said.
Many families would be heading away for the weekend and Bay of Plenty Police wanted everyone to have fun and return home safely.
"There was just one fatality in New Zealand last Labour Weekend which was the lowest number since records began, but it was one too many and it was here in the Bay of Plenty.
"That is not something we want to see repeated."
Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor said the Bay of Plenty was a beautiful place so whether people were staying here, visiting or just passing through, they should enjoy it and not rush.
"Our staff will have a high visibility presence on the roads over the weekend and will be proactively engaging with drivers encouraging concentration and sensible decision-making."
Ways to stay safe on our roads:
- Allow enough time to reach your destination by driving under the speed limit
- Be a legend - stop a mate driving drunk
- Remind everyone to buckle up before you set off
- Take breaks along the way
- Make times to stop and use your cell phone - turn it off when you drive.
The speed thresholds would be at the normal holiday threshold, so anyone who drove more than 4km/h over the permanent posted speed limit could expect to be ticketed.
The inaugural Tour of the Bay of Plenty will also take place this weekend.
About 300 cyclists would be riding from Rotorua to Matata on Saturday, twice around Lake Rotorua on Sunday and from Rotorua through the Waikiti Valley on Monday.
Police said it was important that cyclists and drivers alike took joint responsibility for safety and shared the road.