Easter weekend road toll stands at one

The scene of a motor vehicle accident on State Highway 8, north of Twizel near Lake Pukaki. Photo / supplied

The Easter weekend road toll stands at one this morning, with less than one day to go in the holiday period.

This comes after one person died at the scene of a crash on State Highway 8 between the Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre and Mt Cook Rd in Canterbury around 2.15pm yesterday.

A second person was flown to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition.

There have also been several reports of injury crashes on the roads this long weekend.

A man was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit of Wellington Hospital, after being hit by two cars outside a hospital where he was a patient yesterday.

The man was a patient at Kenepuru Community Hospital in Porirua, and was hit by two cars on Raiha St after walking from the grounds around 1pm.

Two siblings were lucky to be alive after their car slid off a narrow dirt road, crashing 300m down a cliff in a remote part of Banks Peninsula, in the hills behind Wainui, on Saturday.

Emergency services worked for several hours to reach the pair, who were reportedly on their way home from volunteering at an event. The brother and sister were hoisted up the bank using a helicopter.

A 16-year-old boy was also seriously injured after the car he was in rolled in a Kawhia paddock in Waikato on Friday evening.

The injured young man was flown by BayTrust Rescue Helicopter to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition with suspected chest injuries.

Inspector Pete McKennie said police were pleased with the "general attitude" of motorists over the Easter weekend.

"Police have put a huge amount of effort into targeting 'high-risk' drivers over the holiday weekend," Mr McKennie said.

"We have put a particular emphasis on targeting drunk and drug impaired drivers, speedsters and those who do not wear seatbelts or ensure their children are wearing seatbelts.

"Thankfully the vast majority of New Zealand drivers have taken these messages on board and are playing their part in keeping New Zealand roads safe."

Mr McKennie said police expected high volumes of traffic this afternoon as holiday makers made their way home.

"Police will have a number of high visibility patrols in place across the country to assist in getting everyone home safely. Please drive carefully, take your time and show courtesy to your fellow drivers."

Meanwhile, Waikato police were urging motorists to take extra care while driving through the region this morning due to low levels of fog.

Police advised motorists to have their headlights on and reduce speeds when travelling through fog affected areas.

The official Easter holiday road period started at 4pm on Thursday, and runs until 6am on Tuesday, April 7.

Last year's Easter road toll was five, from a reported 95 injury crashes.

Three people were killed on the roads in 2013 over the Easter holiday period. The only fatality-free Easter ever recorded was in 2012.