If you're towing a trailer make sure you 'drive to the conditions and watch your speed,” says Waikato Police.

This message comes after a vehicle took a corner too fast and lost a boat on State Highway 25 north about 10 minutes north of Whititanga early on Friday morning, at about 6.15am.

Waikato Police are asking motorists to drive to the conditions and watch their speed, especially if they are towing a trailer. Photo: File

District Road Policing Manager Inspector Freda Grace says the boat, believed to be about 8m long, has come off the trailer and come to rest on the road, blocking the highway.

'The boat was eventually recovered however this serves as a reminder that when we speak about driving conditions, we're not just talking about the weather," warns Freda.

'Pretty soon the Coromandel roading network is going to be subject to far bigger traffic volumes than normal with the summer holidays.”

Freda adds its important motorists know the capabilities of not just their vehicles but also themselves.

Police are encouraging motorists to ensure both themselves and their vehicles are fit for the road, and recommend people book their vehicles and trailers in to get checked before mechanics close up for Christmas.

'Driving conditions can also cover the serviceability of your vehicle, is it fit for the road, are you? Does your trailer or caravan have a current warrant of fitness and how experienced are you at towing?

'Over the summer with large numbers of vehicles heading towards the beach one mishap or one slow vehicle can have massive repercussions.”

Freda also wants to remind motorists that the open road speed limit for light vehicles towing trailers is 90km/h and drivers need to consider slowing down to even lower speeds, particularly when cornering.

'So, on behalf of NZ Police I want to wish you a safe Christmas and remember safe drivers mean safer families,” says Freda.