Police are urging motorists to be safe and drive responsibly over the long weekend, warning: "We will write you a ticket".
It comes after ACC figures revealed that someone was injured on New Zealand roads every 15 minutes during Labour Weekend 2025.
Director of road policing Richard Wilson said police will be out patrolling across the weekend, and drivers could expect to see officers "anytime, anywhere".
"Our people aren't looking to ruin your long weekend," he said. "But we will write you a ticket rather than knocking on your family's door."
He said road deaths this year were a "growing concern" to police, with unsafe driving continuing to be a factor.
"Split-second decisions to wear your seatbelt, drive sober without distractions, and slow down can have life-changing consequences and will remain a priority for our staff out there patrolling this long weekend."
According to the Ministry of Transport, 255 people have been killed on New Zealand roads this year – 16 this month, so far.
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.
AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told 1News most crashes involved “ordinary people making ordinary mistakes", not the extreme behaviour that makes 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."
He also said the number of people on the road during long weekends added to the risk.
"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."
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker urged drivers to take care.
"Please 'have a hmmm' before you go so that you know the risks before you hit the road for the long weekend.
"Be patient and, if you're feeling tired, stop and have a break to ensure you stay refreshed for your journey."
NZTA head of driving regulation Chris Rodley wanted everyone 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.
SHARE ME