Plan ahead for an egg-cellent and relaxing Easter on the roads around Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki

The long weekend and fortnight of school holidays make an ideal time to egg-splore everything the regions have to offer.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is urging road users to plan ahead, using the Waka Kotahi holiday journey planner.

Holiday journey planner(external link)

The Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency journey planner shows predicted traffic conditions for popular routes all over the country during holiday periods, based on previous years’ travel patterns.

The holiday planner shows two hotspots in particular where motorists can expect heavier than usual traffic flows, on SH3 near Mount Messenger and on SH3 north of Whanganui. The heaviest volume of traffic is likely to be on Friday around midday and again on Monday.

Waka Kotahi Journey Manager for Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki, Liesl Dawson says the weather is looking mostly okay before rain is forecast to set in on Monday.

“If you want to follow the Easter bunny’s itinerary this year, you can. Currently all roads are open and it’s the ideal time to relax, unwind, feast on hot cross buns and chocolate and safely travel the area. We always recommend routinely checking Journey Planner in case there are last minute changes to the roading conditions.

“Please drive to the conditions, and be aware of possible delays, temporary traffic management, and lower speeds in some places. Not only will there be the possibility of usual Easter weekend traffic congestion in places, there may be roadwork sites which remain under stop/go control and have lower speed restrictions, such as Oringi rail overbridge on SH2, so please expect delays while travelling through these sites.”

There are simple things we can all do to help keep everyone on the roads safe:

• Check your vehicle is safe to drive. Check your tyres, wipers, lights and indicators, and ensure you have a valid Warrant of Fitness before you leave.
• Drive to the conditions - whether it’s the weather, the road you’re on, the time of day or the volume of traffic on the roads.
• Make sure everyone does up their seat belt after a break outside the car.
• Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely, and share the driving if possible.
• People towing caravans and boats need to ensure their roadworthiness before attaching them to the tow bar. Stack heavy items toward the front to balance the load and remember the speed limit is 90k/h for towing vehicles. Pull over frequently and let queues pass when safe to do so.

“Now’s your time to enjoy the break – so hop to it.”