Tauranga drivers are being urged to take care on the roads this Queens Birthday Weekend as police aim for a fatality free weekend.

The call comes after a zero road toll at Easter weekend and one death on the roads last Queens Birthday.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says police will be out in force and every driver caught more than 4km/h over the speed limit will be stopped, breath tested and may be issued with a fine.

'When you get behind the wheel you need to take responsibility for yourself and your passengers, by making safe and sensible decisions,” says Ian.

'Road safety is everyone's responsibility and police will be out doing their part too.”

Ian says drivers exceeding any posted speed limit by more than 40km/h will have their drivers licence suspended immediately for a period of 28 days and drivers can expect to be breath tested at anytime, anywhere.

With heavier than normal traffic, Ian says drivers need to reduce their speed and follow at respectful distances.

If it is wet Ian urges drivers to reduce their speed by 20km/h off and increase following distances to a minimum of four seconds, says Ian.

'On a dry road at 100km/h it takes 98 metres to stop under ideal conditions - that's almost the length of a football field.

'But stopping distances are almost doubled when the road is wet and there is also a higher likelihood of losing control.

'Holiday driving requires special care, consideration, concentration and planning.”
Ian says it is important drivers give themselves plenty of time to make their journey safely, take regular breaks and ensure everyone in the vehicle is wearing their seat belt or properly restrained in an approved child restraint.

'While it is not an offence to drive slowly, drivers who impede the flow of traffic or do not pull over to let others pass will be ticketed,” says Ian.

'Slower drivers need to be considerate and pull over to let faster traffic pass.”

He says police want to make sure every journey is a safe journey for everyone.

'We will be working with our road safety partners, NZTA, MoT, ACC and AA to make sure each person on the roads this weekend is as safe as they can possibly be.

'If you make the decision to break the road rules, you lose your right to complain about the consequences. The consequences of getting a fine, losing your licence or even your car may seem harsh but if it changes your driving habits, consider it worth it - we do.

Key messages from police:

- Ensure everyone in the vehicle is wearing their seat belt or properly restrained in an approved child restraint.

- Fatigue - holiday weekends present real dangers around fatigue as drivers are often driving after working and as the timeframes are short, do not take proper breaks or get enough sleep.

-Slow drivers can cause frustration and this can give rise to risky behaviour from other motorists.