Easter road toll: 'It's still the simple things'

File photo / APN

Basic precautions are needed to reduce the road toll, the country's acting top road cop says following the highest Easter road toll in three years.

Four people died in crashes this Easter weekend, the highest number of road deaths for the period in three years. Last Easter, three people died. There were no deaths in the same period in 2012.

Acting national road policing manager Inspector Nic Brown said the deaths this year were tragic and disappointing.

"Sadly, it's still the simple things that are seeing too many people killed and injured. We ask everyone to do their bit by slowing down, wearing their seatbelt, staying off the booze and driving to the road and weather conditions...It's basic stuff.''

Police would be maintaining a highly visible presence on the roads for the remaining week as many holidaymakers continued to enjoy a 10-day extended Easter and Anzac Day break.

A reduced 4km/h speed threshold would be strictly enforced through until 6am next Monday, Mr Brown said.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse said the toll proved a reminder for motorists to take care on the road.

"It is important that we remain vigilant on the roads all year long. Already this year more than 80 families have lost loved ones due to road crashes, and many more are dealing with the consequences of serious injuries.''

The first fatality was on Thursday at 5.20pm when a 44-year-old female driver from Twizel died following a crash on the Fairlie-Tekapo Road in South Canterbury.

Her vehicle was travelling along State Highway 8 from Fairlie towards Tekapo and appeared to have lost control, left the road and hit a tree, police said.

Speed, the vehicle's poor condition and bad weather were contributing factors, police said.

The driver was not believed to have been wearing a seatbelt.

Shortly afterwards, 40-year-old Alofaifo Afaese, of Helensville, died instantly when the Mitsubishi Pajero in which she was travelling with her husband and two of their children was involved in a head-on collision with a Subaru on State Highway 16 west of Kumeu.

On Friday about 3.15am, Alan Hammond, 80, of Ashburton was struck by a vehicle on the Hinds-Rangitata Highway, about 5km south of Hinds, South Canterbury.

He died as a result his injuries.

Speed and wet conditions are believed to be factors in a road crash that cost a 27-year-old Auckland woman her life about 7.20am yesterday.

Lysette Michelle Brown, from Whenuapai, was driving north on the Coatesville-Riverhead Highway northwest of Auckland when her vehicle collided with a truck travelling in the opposite direction.

The collision occurred near a bend in wet conditions, and the impact seriously damaged the side of Ms Brown's vehicle.