Police preach safety for Easter

Bay of Plenty police are encouraging people to do what they can to make sure everyone reaches their destinations safely this Easter and ANZAC weekend.

The speed threshold will be reduced to 4km/h from 4pm Thursday to 6am Monday following a significant reduction in road deaths over a two month period during summer when the same reduction was put in place.

Acting road policing manager Senior Sergeant Fane Troy said police made no apology for sounding like a broken record when they said it is better to arrive late than not arrive at all.

"That should be in the minds of everyone. Even safe and careful drivers can make mistakes if they are tired or have a moment of distraction and that's why every driver on the road needs to take personal responsibility. It's a simple choice to look after yourself and other roads users; potentially a choice between life and death," he said.

With Easter and Anzac Day meaning two successive long weekends this year, police are expecting a lot of people will be preparing for trips.

"No police officer wants to steal that happiness away by having to deliver news of a road death or serious injury," said Mr Troy.

"Easter is a particularly high risk time with more people on the roads, less hours of daylight and changeable weather; the current forecast is for heavy rains in many parts of the country. Last year one of the three people killed in New Zealand over the Easter weekend died on Bay of Plenty Roads," the police announcement said.

"The District also currently has a number of temporary speed limits in place on main highways due to roadworks and long-term construction programmes. Patience is a key ingredient to safety, so anyone travelling is advised to plan routes, prepare for potential delays, allow plenty of time to reach a destination, take regular rest breaks and drive to the conditions."

Police said speed and alcohol continued to be factors in a number of fatal and injury crashes.