Waikato Police say they will be doing everything they can to make travellers feel safe on the roads this Easter Weekend.

District Road Policing Manager Inspector Freda Grace is advising motorist the official holiday period starts today at 4pm and will end next Tuesday, April 7, at 4pm.

Police warn they'll be out in force this Easter when the offical holiday period starts today at 4pm and ends next Tuesday, at 4pm. Photo: File

Freda explains: 'Over the recent summer holiday period the number of driver complaints from the public, known as 1Us, skyrocketed.

'Drivers [were] ringing up complaining about the speed and driver behaviour of other motorists. It wasn't unheard of us receiving 300 1Us over a weekend.

'To us this signals a maturity in people's driving. Whereas 20 years ago people accepted drink driving this has changed and people are now less accepting of other poor driving behaviours.”

Police have taken the public's concerns on board.

Freda says this holiday weekend police will have additional staff out on the roads 'doing exactly what you've asked us to do.”

This means drivers will be held to account for anti-social behaviour that includess speeding, dangerous, careless or reckless driving or any other behaviour that threatens people's safety.

'Part of our strategy for this weekend will include enforcement action for speeds in excess of 5km/h over posted speed limits and every driver stopped will be subject to breath screening.

'We'll also have a strong focus on offences that cause road trauma, such as failing to wear restraints or failing to secure children in theirs.”

Police staff, not just those dedicated to road policing, have been made aware safety on the roads is a Waikato-wide priority.

With the challenging nature of Waikato roads leading to popular holiday spots and the predicted greater traffic volumes it's very much a case of the 'tortoise and the hare.”

'The tortoise takes the cautious, planned approach, takes his time and arrives at the beach safely,” explains Freda.

'On the other hand the hare tears off, passes other road users in bad places, attracts the attention of the Police and then spends the rest of the weekend complaining how people are picking on him.

'Who would you rather be?”

While the Waikato experienced a fatal free Easter Holiday period last year, nationally five families were left picking up the pieces after five fatal crashes last year.

Police do not believe a fatal free holiday weekend is "a flight of fancy" but it does depend on the motoring public workong with them to ensure the roads are a safe, social place.

'Remember that it's only a thin lick of paint that separates you from the other guy travelling towards you at a rate of knots and anyone can make a mistake.

Freda adds: 'That person is someone's mum, dad, son or daughter and what you do can make a difference. Road safety is no accident.”