New Zealanders who risked their lives to save others have been recognised at the New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards.

Auckland drivers will be able to use the Victoria Park Tunnel from November, two months earlier than planned.

Motorists who do not register their cars will now be penalised with demerit points, as well as a fine.

Warkworth resident Bob Scott writes on the planned motorway north of Auckland - the 'Holiday Highway'

A $1.2 billion dollar blowout in the projected cost of building tunnels across the Waitemata Harbour has been revealed in a new report investigating third harbour crossing options for Auckland.

The cost of driving licences needs to drop before the Government tries to set time limits on each stage, say many Herald readers.

Research by the University of Otago found the social cost of injury in the home cost about $13b a year, while estimates by the Ministry of Transport put road injury costs at $3.84b.

Tens of thousands of drivers sitting on restricted and learner licences will soon get a Government hurry-up to qualify properly - or risk losing the right to drive.

Drivers are flouting the ban on hand-held cellphones - new figures show a phone-related car crash almost every two days, dozens of injuries and five deaths last year.

Roads and vehicles must be "more forgiving" to curb a road toll which averages more than one death a day, the AA says. Figures released by the Ministry of Transport today show 371 people died on the roads over the past year.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce ignored expert advice to cut the drink-drive limit and save lives after pointed questions from John Key's office suggesting there might be a public backlash, new papers reveal.

This time last year, Auckland City mayor John Banks was rubbishing a poll showing Manukau mayor Len Brown 11 points ahead in the race for the Super City mayoralty as "shonky".

Transport Minister says many questions remain over $2 billion-plus project.