The annual Kiwi summer exodus is beginning: cars packed to the roof, kids in the backseat, and hours of open state highways ahead. But with heavier traffic, unfamiliar routes and long hours behind the wheel, the AA has urged motorists to prepare for conditions it says routinely catch New Zealanders out.
AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told 1News the combination of peak traffic volumes, long trips and major roadworks make December and January the highest-risk months to travel each year.
"Even though we know it’s the busiest time on the roads, people still seem to be surprised when they head off to make their road trip and discover thousands of other people doing the exact same thing at the exact same time," he said.
Most major road maintenance also happens over the warmer months, meaning motorists face the double-whammy of peak traffic and construction.
"The bulk of it actually needs to take place because a lot of work can't be done in colder, wetter conditions," Thomsen said. "Unfortunately, we have the combination of the busiest time on the roads being when there's the most roadworks taking place."
Give yourself time
While drivers can't wave a magic wand to make bumper-to-bumper traffic or roadworks go away, Thomsen said one thing they could control was their mindset.
"One tip that can be really useful is not giving yourself a specific time to arrive somewhere. Don't make promises about 'we'll be there by 2pm', say that you'll be there in the afternoon."
He said having a mindset of "expecting the worst and hoping for the best" when embarking on a road trip came in handy.
"If you start off expecting all of those things to happen, then you're not going to be surprised by them when they do, and you can probably just accept them and have an enjoyable trip. Or if they don't happen, then it's an added bonus."
Tiredness
Most New Zealanders understand the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Thomsen said, but one contributing factor that often flew under the radar was fatigue.
"Doing long drives when you're tired or pushing on when you're actually starting to feel a bit sleepy and your attention and focus isn't at normal levels - that can be really, really risky."
Regular breaks are a great way to combat fatigue, he said.
"If you've been behind the wheel for an hour or two, look to pull over, get out of the car, get some fresh air," he said. "Not only will that keep you fresh and alert, but it'll also probably mean that when you get to your destination, you'll be feeling a bit better than if you'd just pushed on and kept driving."
Drink and drugs
As for drugs and alcohol, Thomsen said the message was simple.
"Don't use mind-altering substances in a way that's going to affect you before you're going to go out and travel at 100km/h in a couple of tonnes of metal.
"One of the worst cocktails is somebody having a few drinks and driving when they're tired. All it takes is a couple of seconds of losing focus and attention for your holiday plans to end up with your car at the panel beaters or somebody needing to go to hospital."
Unfamiliar roads
Holiday travel often puts people on roads they’re not used to, from the bustling multi-lane motorways of Auckland to the winding alpine routes of the South Island.
"It is tough when you're driving on roads that you're not familiar with, or you're driving in a different type of traffic," Thomsen said.
He recommended electing someone reliable to be the navigator to help avoid last-minute lane changes or missed turns.
"Especially in a busy city like Auckland, having someone who can help you know what lane to be in and what exit you need to take ahead of time will make it more relaxing and means less last-minute changes."
Drivers heading into rural areas may encounter obstacles they’re not used to, such as tractors, farm vehicles or even livestock.
"You need to be ready for whatever comes around that next bend," Thomsen said. "Go a little slower, give yourself more following distance, and always be ready to slow down."
Vehicle checks
The AA also encouraged motorists to check their vehicle before they leave, including tyres, lights, wipers, windscreen condition and ensuring both registration and WoF are up to date.
Thomsen said the core message for summer was for drivers to manage their own reactions, stay calm, and take regular breaks.
"You're not going to be able to change what other people do on the roads — the only thing you can control and change is how you react to it," he said.
He said taking more frequent breaks to stay fresh, alert and focused would not only make holiday road trips more enjoyable, but also help keep people safe on the roads.
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