The NZ Transport Agency is advising people travelling in the Thames-Coromandel area to check the website or ring 0800 44 44 49 before leaving for their journeys as heavy down pours and high winds are expected.
Crews will be monitoring the network over the next few days while the bad weather hits and diggers are on standby to clear debris off the road.
The Transport Agency says people should be prepared for poor visibility and the possibility of slips if the rainfall is heavy and winds are strong.
It says across the whole network, drivers need to watch for flooding and slips, slow down, drive to the conditions and build in rest stops and extra time to minimise stress.
You should also check vehicles are winter-ready: wind wipers, spare tyres, tread on your tyres, lights, as well as checking they have an extra torch in the vehicle, cell phone charger, food, spare clothes.
Simple rules for safe winter travelling:
- Allow extra time
- Ensure your vehicle is safe for winter driving
- Drive to the road and weather conditions
- Slow down and be prepared for unexpected hazards
- Allow greater following distance between you and the vehicle ahead
- Make sure your cell phone is well charged, check car charger also
- Have blankets, snacks, bottles of water ready in case of emergency or a breakdown.
How to stay up to date:
- The key traffic and travel source which provides up-to-date information on weather and road conditions is www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic(external link)
- Important information is also shared via the Transport Agency’s official Twitter and Facebook accounts listed here https://www.nzta.govt.nz/contact-us/connect-with-us/
- Drivers can also call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) to speak to the call centre team who can provide them with traffic and travel information either before they’re travelling or when they’re on the road, safely parked off the highway
- MetService road snowfall warnings here(external link)
- MetService severe weather warnings here(external link)
