The ‘official holiday period' for the purposes of the national road death toll is complete with no road fatalities occurring in the Western Bay of Plenty.

However, 13 people across New Zealand lost their lives on the road from 4pm on Friday, December 24 till 6am on January 5.

Police at work on the Maungatapu causeway. File picture.

National road policing manager, Superintendent Paula Rose, is saddened by the 13 deaths, but was heartened that so many motorists paid attention to safety messages, reduced speed and made good driving decisions.

She says this is the third lowest holiday road toll since 1980.

During the 2006/2007 holiday period, nine people were killed – a record low.

The highest holiday road toll was in 2008/2009 when 25 people lost their lives.

Of the 13 who died this holiday period, 10 were men and three were women.

Five were drivers, two were motorcycle riders, five were passengers and one was a pedestrian. Six of those who died were aged 15 to 24.