With nine people killed in car accidents across the country recently, national road policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally is pleading with motorists to take care on the roads.

Tragically, several families are now left grieving following five separate fatal crashes in the Bay of Plenty, Tasman, Counties Manakau and Central Districts since Monday night, says Stephen.

Nine people have died on the roads since Monday night, including five men who were killed in a horror crash on State Highway 2 near Aongatete on Tuesday. Photo: George Heard/Fairfax NZ

'While the causes of these crashes are still the subject of police investigation, we know from past experience crashes like this are usually preventable, and to see yet more families left devastated in this way is incredibly sad.

'As far as police is concerned, any death or injury is one too many, and everyone needs to be doing their part to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads.”

Stephen says with winter well and truly upon us, and more bad weather on the way, drivers must be extremely careful and make allowances for the conditions. This includes slowing down, increasing following distances and potentially avoiding any non-essential travel.

Icy conditions are also expected in the Central Plateau of the North Island, which will make driving conditions treacherous, he says.

'In these hazardous driving conditions there is a much greater risk of losing control and having a crash if you are travelling too fast for the conditions. The last thing Police wants is having to tell yet more families that loved ones aren't coming home.

'Remember, the speed limit is not a target, it's the maximum legal speed that you can travel at on a road in ideal conditions - and they often don't exist on our roads in winter.”

When driving in winter conditions, police also recommend motorists allow extra time for their journey and to be aware of other road users who may not be easily seen, like cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.

Safe winter driving also includes keeping windscreens clean and fully defrosted, taking care in shady areas where there may be black ice on the road, using headlights in fog and increasing following distances.

'We want everyone to be safe on our roads this winter, so please take care,” says Stephen.