23 Feb 2020

Motorists urged to drive safely after five fatal collisions this weekend

5:16 pm on 23 February 2020

One person has died following a serious crash in the Waikato - the eighth person to die on New Zealand roads this weekend.

Police generic

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

The crash on State Highway Three near Mangakowhai Road at Piopio was reported around 12.40pm.

Since Saturday five people have died in four separate crashes in the Waikato and three were killed in a single-vehicle collision in Northland.

Around 10 people were also injured in the crashes, prompting an appeal from the Police and NZ Transport Agency for drivers to take care.

Early this morning, three people died and a child was left in a critical condition following a car crash in Northland.

The car crashed into a tree on Whananaki North Road, near Whangarei, at about 2am.

Yesterday police attended three fatal crashes throughout the Waikato, which collectively killed four people.

Police Acting National Manager of Road Policing Inspector Gini Welch said while it was too early to know the causes of the collisions, most road fatalities can been avoided.

"Every loss of life on our roads is a tragedy and these deaths will have a major impact both on individual families and wider communities."

Drivers are being reminded to make sure everyone is wearing a seatbelt, avoid distractions, drive within the speed limit, and never get behind the wheel if intoxicated.

The latest crashes bring the road toll so far this year to 49.