Police have reported a significant drop in road deaths over the 2024/2025 holiday period compared to the previous year.

The provisional road toll stands at 13, a substantial decrease from last year’s total of 22.

Director of Road Policing, Superintendent Steve Greally, said that while the reduced toll was encouraging, every road death remained a tragedy.

“That’s still 13 families who have had their lives irrevocably changed at what should be a happy and festive time of year, and our hearts go out to them,” Greally said.

He added that continued efforts were needed to prevent further loss of life on New Zealand roads.

“It’s important that we collectively keep doing everything we can to prevent lives being lost on our roads.”

Police will maintain a strong presence on roads across the country throughout the summer, targeting unsafe driving behaviours such as speeding, distraction, and impaired driving.

“Our officers are doing everything they can out on the roads working to reduce the number of serious crashes. But we need drivers to be doing their bit too,” Greally said.

Drivers are urged to prioritise safety by ensuring seat belts are worn, maintaining safe speeds, avoiding cellphone use, and driving free from fatigue, alcohol, or drugs.

“Please – make sure everyone in your vehicle is safely buckled up, drive at a safe speed for the conditions under the speed limit, put your cellphone away, and ensure you’re driving free of fatigue, alcohol, and drugs,” Greally said.

The holiday road toll period officially ended at 6 am on 3 January.