Plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable Easter Holiday

Motorists travelling across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region for Easter are urged to drive to the conditions and plan ahead before leaving home.

This year Easter Monday, Anzac Day and school holidays all fall in the same week, which means it’s likely to be extra busy on our roads, says NZ Transport Agency Acting Director of Regional Relationships Ross I’Anson.

“Congestion and delays are inevitable during holiday periods, so we also want to remind everyone to be patient, drive to the conditions, keep to the speed limit, always wear a seatbelt and never drive while impaired or distracted.”

“Following these simple rules can be the difference between a safe trip or a tragic outcome,’’ Mr I’Anson says.

The Transport Agency predicts traffic will be especially heavy on Thursday 18 April and Good Friday 19 April, and then on the return journey on both Sunday and Monday 28 and 29 April.

Looking ahead to Anzac Day, road users should also allow extra time for their journeys, particularly on Anzac Morning as there will be short term restrictions and small detours in place near some townships.

“These include Te Aroha in the Waikato and Katikati in the Bay of Plenty as processions and services take place,” says Mr I’Anson.

Places to expect delays around the region:

Bay of Plenty

• SH29 - Kaimai (West of Tauranga)
• SH2 - Between Paeroa and Waihi
• SH2 - Between Tauranga and Katikati

Coromandel

• SH25A - South of Tairua

Waikato

• SH1 - Karapiro (South of Cambridge)
• SH1 - Taupiri (North of Hamilton)
• SH2 - Maramarua (East of SH1/SH2 Interchange

Plan ahead for a safer journey

• Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable Easter holiday with the help of NZ Transport Agency’s interactive holiday journeys map. The map shows predicted traffic flow across popular journeys over the Easter and Anzac holidays based on previous years’ travel patterns: www.nzta.govt.nz/holidayjourneys
• Look for an alternative route, or consider leaving when traffic is lighter, either early in the morning or late at night.
• Because predicted peak times can change based on incidents, weather and even driver behaviour, check real time traffic information on the NZTA Journey Planner website before you set off: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: nzta.govt.nz/traffic(external link)
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP(external link)
• Twitter: twitter.com/NZTAwaibop(external link)
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)