Dozens of crashes on wet Waikato roads

Kopu Bridge. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Waikato police are advising drivers heading to holiday hot spots to allow plenty of time following dozens of motor accidents in the region in yesterday's wet conditions.

Acting Waikato road policing manager Senior Sergeant Jeff Penno said although the roads to Coromandel Peninsula towns such as Thames, Whangamata and Whitianga were busy, they would get busier as people head out of the cities for the New Years weekend.

Mr Penno advised anyone intending on driving to the Coromandel Peninsula to accept their trip was likely to take significantly longer than usual to get to their destination.

"If drivers accept this and plan accordingly their trip will be a lot more enjoyable for everyone on the road."

He urged drivers to be considerate to other drivers.

"If you're towing a boat or caravan keep an eye in your rear view mirrors and where possible move over to allow traffic to pass. We don't want drivers to speed but we also don't want the classic 'Sunday drivers' out there in peak traffic unnecessarily holding up traffic either."

Mr Penno said there were 35 crashes in the Waikato yesterday, 13 of which were in the Hauraki Coromandel area.

"It appears with the onset of adverse weather drivers didn't change their driving behaviour sufficiently to be able to drive to the conditions."

One example of poor driving reported to police yesterday involved the elderly driver of a Ford Taurus travelling between Waihi and Whangamata. The woman was seen crossing the centre line on corners on more than ten occasions and twice oncoming drivers were forced to take evasive action.

"Given the weather and the heavy traffic volumes this was a recipe for disaster and we're very fortunate a tragedy didn't occur, officers will be following up with the driver of this vehicle today and we would encourage other motorists faced with similar situations to advise police what is happening."

As of this morning the holiday road toll nationwide remained at three.

- NZHERALD STAFF