Christmas, New Year traffic congestion in Auckland, Wellington as holidaymakers quit cities

One person has died in a crash as the annual Christmas exodus gets under way, with holidaymakers escaping cities in droves and waves of congestion expected at highway chokepoints on routes out of our main centres.

Motorists heading south out of Auckland are expected to face high traffic volumes over the coming four days as people pack up and quit the city ahead of December 25.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is expecting the heaviest traffic to start at lunchtime today, with the lengthiest congestion expected this weekend.

Midway through this morning, a major North Island holiday highway entering the Coromandel Peninsula was closed by a serious crash west of the Kōpū Bridge.

Police confirmed a person died at the scene of the crash on State Highway 25 at Orongo. Two other people were seriously injured.

Diversions were put in place around the crash scene, with motorists advised to allow for extra time through local roads.

SH25 PIPIROA TO KOPU - ROAD CLOSED - 10:40AM
Due to a serious crash near Hauraki Rd, west of the Kopu Bridge, SH25 is closed between Bush Rd and Hauraki Rd. Allow extra time for detour via local roads through Turua: https://t.co/5ssmFKDYeL ^TP pic.twitter.com/DGHKh3BsZ4

— NZ Transport Agency - Waikato & Bay of Plenty (@nztawbop) December 18, 2024

Meanwhile, on SH1, a crash just before lunchtime in Cambridge caused significant delays. Police said motorists should avoid the area and take another route due to the build-up.

In Christchurch, emergency services rushed to the scene of a two vehicle crash involving a trailer, where a person had to be cut out of a vehicle using hydraulic cutting gear.

Police were notified of the crash on Curraghs Rd in Rolleston at 1.15pm.

“Two cars were involved, and one of the cars looks to have been towing a trailer,” said a police spokesperson.

A Fire and Emergency services spokesperson told the Herald they were working to remove a person from the vehicle using hydraulic cutting gear.

They sent three crews from West Melton, Rolleston and Lincoln.

Hato Hone St John also responded, transporting one patient in moderate condition to Christchurch Hospital.

When traffic is forecast to start building

Traffic is expected to start building on Auckland’s Southern Motorway heading south from before 8am on Saturday and Sunday and remain heavy for eight hours, easing off after 4pm.

It is expected to ease from Monday, although there would still be heavy patches several hours-long each day in the lead-up to and including Christmas Day. Traffic heading south would markedly increase again two days before the New Year period.

Holidaymakers have begun their mass exodus from the cities, with waves of congestion expected at known chokepoints on the main routes out of our towns. Photo / Brett Phibbs

For those heading north on Auckland’s Northern Motorway, traffic was tipped to be free-flowing today and tomorrow before picking up for four days from Saturday. The worst traffic was expected to be from 10am to 4pm across the weekend.

Roads were expected to clear on Christmas Day before building again from Boxing Day and the two days before New Year.

For those heading out of the capital, traffic on SH1 at Ōtaki was projected to be heaviest on Friday, with congestion tipped for between 9.30am and 4pm.

Saturday and Sunday should ease earlier, with congestion expected to clear by 12.30pm.

The congestion should increase again from Boxing Day, and then ramp up in the two days before New Year.

The days you will want to avoid being on the roads lest you have to sit in standstill traffic going south are today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.

‘Expect to see police anytime and anywhere’

Superintendent Steve Greally, the director of road policing, says motorists should expect to see police anytime and anywhere and should play their part in keeping safe these holidays.

Greally said: “Our stance on safety remains straightforward. Drivers need to be clear that if they are detected speeding or driving impaired by alcohol or drugs, they will be ticketed.

“The best way to avoid being ticketed is not to speed, not to drive drunk or under the influence of drugs. It’s that simple.”

Superintendent Steve Greally, the director of road policing, says motorists should expect to see police anytime and anywhere and should play their part in keeping safe these holidays. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Twenty-one people died over the holiday road toll period last year.

“Road deaths and serious injuries are preventable. We have seen over time that our enforcement action has proven to deter people from driving dangerously,” Greally said.

This year’s road toll period begins at 4pm on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, and ends at 6am on Friday, January 3.

Tips for safe driving on your summer holiday

• Be patient when driving this summer so everyone can relax and enjoy the holidays together.
• Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely.
• Drive to the conditions – whether it’s the weather, the road you’re on, the time of day or the volume of traffic on the roads.
• Take regular breaks to stay alert.
• Allow plenty of time. You’re on holiday, there’s no need to rush.

Vehicle safety

• Your vehicle must be safe to drive before you set off on your summer holiday.
• Check that the Warrant of Fitness or Certificate of Fitness is up-to-date on any vehicle you plan to drive, including rentals.

There are basic checks you can do yourself, including:

• Tyres – minimum tread is 1.5mm but the more tread, the better the grip;
• Lights – check that all lights work so your vehicle is visible in poor light;
• Indicators – ensure all indicators work so people know which direction you are moving in;
• Windscreen and wipers – check for wear and tear so you can see the road safely.

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