Commuter chaos: Holiday traffic building on motorways heading into cities

Police plead for motorists to do 'the right things’ as drink driving and crashes increase over the holidays. Video / NZ Police

One person has suffered serious injuries after crashing a vehicle towing an empty horse float on State Highway 5 near Iwitahi.

The vehicle crashed into a bank around 1.30pm and emergency services have closed one lane of the highway.

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NZTA says a stop/go system is in place with motorists travelling between Taupō and Napier asked to slow down and expect delays.

North of Auckland, highway traffic between Wellsford and Warkworth has eased following a crash earlier this afternoon.

UPDATE 2:50PM
There is now STOP/GO traffic management in place on SH5 Iwitahi following a crash. Please SLOW DOWN and expect some DELAYS. ^ALhttps://t.co/ZEigfiIHGr

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) January 5, 2021

There are multiple roadwork sites throughout the Dome Valley, however, with road users asked to take extra care in the area.

NZTA has asked motorists to follow the directions of emergency services on scene.

The holiday road toll, which ended at 6am this morning, finished at 11 - seven more than the same period last year.