Safety focus for Labour Weekend traffic

Holiday traffic leaving Whangarei last Labour Weekend Monday. Photo / Tania Whyte

The Labour Weekend traffic rush to Northland is expected to start as early as today and police are urging holiday motorists to be polite, patient and courteous to make sure everybody gets home safely.

The NZ Transport Agency has released its list of Labour Weekend congestion hotspots with State Highway One north and south of Whangarei and the highway around Kawakawa both on the list.

Northland road policing Senior Sergeant Ian Row said police were well aware of the congestion hotspots and would be patrolling the region's roads in force this weekend to help keep traffic flowing and nip any errant driving in the bud.

There have been no fatalities on Northland's roads the past two Labour Weekends, and police wanted the same result this long weekend.

Twenty-seven people have died on Northland's roads so far this year - the same as 2016's total.

"There is nothing new or special people have to do (to prevent accidents). Plan your journey, allow plenty of time and be patient, polite and courteous and everybody will get back home safely," he said.

He said police knew the peak periods and hotspots and extra staff were rostered on to deal with the influx of traffic.

NZTA said traffic heading north on SH1 through could be congested between 2pm to 7pm today, with the heaviest traffic expected between 3pm and 6pm.

North-bound traffic will be heavy tomorrow in the same area between 11am and 7pm, and at its heaviest between 2pm and 6pm.

On Saturday north-bound traffic through the same area will likely be heavy from 10am to noon.

On Monday south-bound traffic on SH1 through Whangarei will be heavy from 10am to 4pm.

NZTA said south-bound traffic on SH1 through Kawakawa at its heaviest on Monday from 10am to 4pm.

The latest information on state highway traffic can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz.