Four crashes about the city highways yesterday were all preventable by drivers taking more care, says Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion.

'With the volumes of traffic that we carry around the network in the Western Bay of Plenty you only need a minor crash for it to create significant delays for other road users.

A crane was brought in to remove a truck which overturned on Old Highway, near Whakamarama. Photos: John Budden.

'All it needs to be is a minor incident. In fact it can even be a break down and it does create delays for other road users. That's why it's just so important.

'One, as a self-preservation measure, but two, to prevent this sort of thing happening - is to take extreme care out there. Focus on what you are doing. Focus on the drive.”

Just before 8am there was a five car nose-to-tail on SH29A, between the Maungatapu Bridge, and the Started just before eight five vehicle nose to tail SH29 A between the Maungatapu Bridge and roundabout.

'It was a nil injury crash, but with morning peak traffic it caused some congestion, and that was simply someone not paying attention,” says Ian.

'They collided with the rear of the vehicle ahead of them and caused the ricochet effect, involving five vehicles all up.”

The next crash was on the Flying Mile, between Omokoroa Road and Pahoia. A vehicle pulled off the road to make a right turn into a vehicle access, and has pulled out in front of traffic, says Ian.

'No injuries fortunately, but the road was blocked for about half an hour.”

The highway was blocked for about half an hour and traffic was diverted past the scene via the Old Highway and Youngson Road.

A heavy motor vehicle negotiating the diversion came too close to the edge of the road and the trailer rolled down the bank at the Youngson/Old Highway intersection, blocking the alternative route.

Then at 1.47pm on SH29, a heavily laden tandem trailer lost its load.

The driver lost control and the trailer clipped an oncoming truck and trailer unit, says Ian.

That was also a nil injury crash.