Mountain road conditions prompt police warning to drivers

Police plead for driver caution in Ruapehu area after crashes increase.

Have a nana nap, share the driving or find a bed or couch for the night - that's the plea from police after a rise in car crashes in the Ruapehu area recently.

Senior Sergeant Andrew McDonald, of Whanganui Police, said there were 18 more car accidents on mountain roads in the area from Taumarunui to Ohakune between April 1 and July 31, compared with the same period last year.

"A combination of a bumper snow season and bad weather events has significantly increased the amount of traffic in our area.

"It also means that the open road limits are too high. We are excited to have an influx of people into our communities and want everyone to enjoy themselves and survive the trip home to tell everyone about it.

"People coming to the mountain and driving home afterwards the same day is a recipe for disaster if the drivers don't take simple precautions.

"Something as simple as having a 30-minute nana nap or sharing the driving responsibilities will reduce the risk to drivers and their passengers. Better still, find a couch or bed to crash on for the night and drive home the next morning.

"The risk can be easily reduced and avoided if drivers slow down and drive to the conditions, stop for rests or share the driving. Drink driving is just not on anymore."

He also advised drivers to plan for plenty of rests, delays and more cars on the road than normal.

Traffic hotspots are on State Highway 4, 30km north of Taumarunui, known as "The Hiwis" and State Highway 41 near the summit, half-way between Taumarunui and Turangi.

Around National Park the main issue is driver behaviour, with motorists not ensuring the road is clear before entering intersections and doing u-turns in the National Park area. Ice on State Highway 47 is also a concern.

Ice on the roads is a problem for motorists in the Ohakune/Horopito area.

There were 53 vehicle crashes in the Ruapehu area between April 1 and July 31 caused by:
- 43% driver error - falling asleep, loss of concentration, speeding, misjudging a corner, error in judgment at intersections
- 35% road conditions - heavy rainfall, snow, ice, obstruction due to storm/flood
- 4% drunk driver - under the influence of drugs or alcohol