Police are taking a tough stance on speeding over the Christmas/New Year period, and they say it will save lives.
The National Road Policing Manager, Superintendent Paula Rose, says motorists can expect to be fined if caught doing more than five kilometres an hour over than the speed limit. The usual tolerance is 10.
The Automobile Association says motorists taking breaks will be key to a low holiday road toll.
The AA's motoring affairs general manager, Mike Noon, says one of the reasons people get into strife on the roads at this time of year is that they take much longer journeys.
He says no one should drive for more than two hours without a break.
The Christmas road toll period, which began at 4pm on Christmas Eve, runs through till 5 January. Thirteen people died during the same period a year ago, and a further 67 were seriously injured.
Two killed on roads overnight
This year's holiday road toll is two, with deaths in Mosgiel and Pukekohe overnight.
A 44-year-old woman was killed when her vehicle left the road in Mosgiel at 9.30pm on Christmas Eve. She was the car's sole occupant.
Just after midnight, police say, a 40-year-old man wandered onto Helvetia Rd, Pukekohe, and was hit by a vehicle that immediately left the scene.
They have no description of the car involved, but say it may have some damage to its front caused by the impact. They are urging anyone who has information to make contact.
