Plea for more care on our roads after another 'tragic' Easter

The scene after a motorcyclist was killed in Rotorua on Saturday morning. Photo / Ben Fraser

Government agencies are calling for more care on our roads after another tragic Easter weekend when six people died on our roads.

Three times as many people died on New Zealand roads this Easter as did last year, and it is the highest number in eight years, since 2010, when 12 people died.

"We've had another tragic weekend on our roads," NZ Police assistant commissioner for road policing Sandra Venables said.

"There have been six deaths from four crashes this Easter, along with a number of people seriously injured in other crashes."

The latest fatal crash was last night, when a driver and a passenger died following a two-car head-on collision on State Highway 10 near Kerikeri.

Three people died in the central North Island in two separate incidents on Friday, including two brothers aged 4 years and 2 months old, and another person died after a motorcycle and truck collided in Rotorua on Saturday morning.

So far this year 107 people have died on New Zealand roads, up from 94 at the same time last year.

In the 12 months to April 3, there had been 393 road deaths, 64 more than in the previous 12-month period.

NZ Transport Agency director of safety and environment Harry Wilson said the
deaths and injuries over the weekend would affect families and communities for many years to come.

"These people are not numbers, and we should never lose sight of the real human loss and grieving behind the figures.

"We know people can make mistakes when they're driving, which is why it's so important that we all do the simple things that we can to lessen the impact of mistakes."

ACC chief customer officer Mike Tully said it had been a "grim" Easter on the roads.

"People need to understand that behind these statistics the true cost is the far-reaching impact – physically and mentally – that road accidents have on victims, their families and local communities. We all have to start driving and riding more responsibly."

"Make sure you're paying attention to your driving, be aware of hazards, and take a break if you're tired. Always drive to the conditions, put your cell phone away, wear your seatbelt and don't drink when you're going to drive."