With winter weather starting to settle in, motorists are reminded to adjust their driving to keep themselves and other road users safe as New Zealand heads into the most treacherous months for driving.

The NZ Transport Agency has launched its Winter Journeys campaign, which encourages drivers to plan ahead to reduce winter driving risks.

“There are more vehicle crashes during June and August when motorists are likely to encounter fewer daylight hours and wetter, more slippery roads,” said Ernst Zöllner, the Transport Agency’s Road Safety Director.

“Simple guidelines for winter travelling include ensuring your vehicle is safe, always driving to the road and weather conditions, allowing more time for your travel, slowing down, being prepared for unexpected hazards and allowing greater following distance between you and the vehicle ahead,” he said.

“The room for mistakes is reduced when road and weather conditions are less favourable, and we don’t want anyone’s mistake to end in an avoidable tragedy.”

“Most important though is to plan your journey, check weather and road conditions, choose the safest route if you have the option and if possible avoid travelling in extreme weather and road conditions.

“And remember, road closures and restrictions are put in place for your protection and other road users, so please observe these.”

Drivers can get the most up to date information to help plan their trip via a dedicated website www.nzta.govt.nz/winterjourneys or by calling 0800 44 44 49 (0800 4 HIGHWAYS).