The preliminary 2015 road toll is at 321 deaths on New Zealand roads – 27 more than 2014 and the highest it has been in five years.

Police are urging all road users to be vigilant, patient and follow basic safety advice while driving or motorcycling this summer.

The national road toll is at 321 deaths recorded on New Zealand roads. File photo.

National road policing manager, Superintendent Steve Greally says the 2015 road toll is far too high.

'We're talking about people who have been killed or died as a result of injuries received in a road crash. They're more than just a statistic.

'These are people who have left loved ones behind, and it's the families and friends who are left to carry the pain and devastation of fatal crashes.”

The Christmas-New Year holiday road toll now stands at eight.

This includes an elderly woman who died in hospital last evening from injuries received in a single vehicle crash near Oamaru on Wednesday morning, and a fatality early this morning on the Riwaka side of the Motueka Bridge.

The holiday period started at 4pm on December 24 and ends at 6am on January 5.

Police are reminding motorists to keep themselves and others safe on the roads, especially over the next few days with more people travelling to and from holiday destinations.

Drivers need to be alert to changing conditions, especially as severe weather warnings are out today with expected heavy rain in northern parts of the country.

'Wet or fine, all motorists should be vigilant, exercise care and good judgement,” says Steve.

'We all have a responsibility to be safe on the roads. It's a no brainer to check your speed, wear a seat belt, be a sober driver, take a break if you're tired and keep your focus on the road. If everyone takes this basic advice the road toll can be reduced and families can spend fun time with loved ones instead of planning funerals.”

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says it's incredibility sad and disappointing to have lost so many lives on our roads in 2015.

'The road toll is not just a number — every figure represents not only the life lost but also grieving families, friends and communities.

'While it's too early to say why the toll increased in 2015, data from 2012-2014 shows drivers continue to make the same mistakes.”

The common contributing factors to fatal and serious injury road crashes include:

Speeding: 30 per cent

Alcohol/drugs: 29 per cent

Unrestrained occupants: 20 per cent

Driver distraction: 8 per cent

'Long-term, the number of people killed on our roads is reducing, dropping by over a third (36 per cent) between 2000 and 2014,” says Craig.

'The Government is committed to making New Zealand roads safer and reducing the number of people killed and injured in crashes.

'Road users have a role to play too. I urge all drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians to be vigilant and considerate while travelling these holidays.”