Fatal accidents, breakdowns and huge traffic backlogs have plagued the first four days of the official Christmas road toll period.

A newborn baby was taken to hospital after a head-on crash. Firefighters had to winch the family's car off a road barrier and wedge the passenger door open to free her.

A Bay of Plenty mother says parents need to be aware of potential danger associated with alloy wheels after her 16-month-old daughter suffered serious burns.