Someone was injured on New Zealand roads every 15 minutes over Labour weekend last year, ACC figures show.
ACC accepted 286 motor vehicle injury claims from crashes between October 25 and October 27, 2025. It cost about $1.1 million to help those people recover, and ACC said most of the injuries could have been prevented.
The agency is therefore warning drivers to take extra care this holiday weekend.
AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told 1News most crashes involved “ordinary people making ordinary mistakes", not the extreme behaviour that tends to make headlines.
"The biggest risk for most drivers isn't extreme behaviour, it's losing concentration for a few seconds, not seeing something on the roads ahead of them until it's too late."
Thomsen said long weekends added to that risk because more people were driving long distances on unfamiliar roads.
"On the holiday weekends is the time when there's a lot more vehicles, so the risks of people having those mistakes end up in crashes increases a lot," he said.
"Nobody wants to spend their holiday period having to make insurance claims, try and book a vehicle in for repairs, all those kind of things."
Long weekends bring increased risks on the roads
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said any injury on the roads was one too many.
"With this year's Labour weekend coming up, we are urging drivers to be aware and take care on our roads," he said.
"Please 'have a hmmm' before you go so that you know the risks before you hit the road for the long weekend."
Whitaker said planning ahead and allowing extra time were among the simplest ways to stay safe.
"Drivers should expect delays as many people look to take advantage of the extra day off and travel up and down the country.
"Be patient and, if you're feeling tired, stop and have a break to ensure you stay refreshed for your journey."
Auckland records the most injury claims
Auckland recorded the most claims last Labour weekend, with 80 injuries costing $328,089. Waikato had 43 claims costing $114,625, and Canterbury had 30 claims at $149,249.
Bay of Plenty's 23 claims cost $180,666, which is more than Waikato's 43 claims. In Otago, nine claims cost $90,495.
Wellington had 18 claims costing $67,176. Northland and Manawatū-Whanganui each had 17 claims, costing $25,789 and $15,067 respectively.
NZTA head of driving regulation Chris Rodley said everyone needed to play their part.
"That means making sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt or appropriate child restraint, not driving impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue, sticking to safe speeds for the weather conditions, and putting your phone on do not disturb before you drive," he said.
"It's up to all drivers and road users to make safe decisions, so everyone can arrive at their destinations safely and have an awesome weekend."
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