Police are warning motorists to reduce risk factors on the road this Labour Weekend, and say they will be out in force cracking down on unsafe driving.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Four people have already died so far this weekend.
This morning two people died, two were seriously injured and one person was moderately injured after a crash near Dunedin.
The two car crash happened on State Highway 1 just south of Waihola at about 9.15am this morning.
A woman was hit by a truck at Ōtāne in Central Hawke's Bay late yesterday afternoon.
And a motorcyclist died late last night after a crash with a car on SH1 in Burnham, near Christchurch.
Road policing director Steve Greally said it was important to remember a road death is not just a number.
"It's a person who should have had a future, they have family and friends, but unfortunately because of a mistake - whether it was them or somebody else - they're no longer with us, and the effects of that with their families, that's just huge and everlasting."
Greally said drivers could reduce unnecessary risk by paying attention to some basic rules.
"Making sure that drivers are not impaired by alcohol, fatigue and drugs, making sure that people aren't distracted by their cell phones.
"And of course making sure that people drive to the speed that's suitable - not only for the weather conditions, but also for the type of road, and no [faster] than the speed limit."