Traffic begins to build ahead of the long weekend

  • 20/10/2017
Traffic begins to build ahead of the long weekend
Photo credit: File

The NZTA has a message for people headed away for the long weekend: Get ready for a long ride.

Traffic is beginning to build up in the usual holiday routes, SH1 headed north and south of Auckland. 

As of 3:40pm SH1in Auckland is congested headed both north and south of the city

According to the NZTA website SH2 near Maramamarua is also expected to experience delays.

Further south delays are expected on SH2 between Wellington and Featherston and SH1 along the Kapiti Coast.

NZTA is currently reporting a delay of 30 minutes northbound from Plimmerton to Paraparaumu.

Travellers are recommended to allow for extra time on their journey and to check the travel time before leaving. 

The New Zealand Police is urging drivers to stay safe over the holiday period, after a shocking road toll in 2017.

The provisional road toll as of October 20 2017 is 302, 42 ahead of the provisional road toll of 260 on October 20 2016.  

Police and the NZTA recommend drivers keep to the speed limit, drive to conditions and ensure that they drive free of impairment.

Police will be out in force over the long weekend, and a lower threshold for enforcement will be in place.

"The speed limit is not a target and should not be exceeded," said Superintendent Steve Greally, National Road Policing Manager. 

We all know our roads are unique and challenging, the faster we travel, the greater the risk."

Newshub.