File photo. Four people died on the roads over the Easter holiday weekend. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Police are urging drivers to think about whether they need to be on the road if there is a severe weather warning in place.
Easter weekend was marked by high winds and heavy rain brought by ex-tropical Cyclone Tam, and the Easter holiday road toll was four.
Inspector Peter McKennie said any death on the road was tragic, and four deaths was too high.
"Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have died," he said.
"It's too early to say what all of the contributing factors were to these crashes but invariably speed is a factor in the outcome of each and every crash."
McKennie said it was crucial that people did not get distracted while driving and paid attention to the conditions, especially in bad weather.
"Somewhere where New Zealanders are actually pretty good is when we do have really severe weather, they tend to adjust their driving to those conditions," he said.
"What I'd urge people to do is if you've got a severe weather warning think about whether or not you need to be on the road in the first place, and if you do make sure you update yourself with any reports of road conditions before you travel, make sure you comply with any detour signs and so forth.
"If the road looks as though it might be a bit risky, perhaps delay your travel or find an alternative route. No journey is so urgent that it's worth risking anyone's life."
Police had been out in force on the roads over the Easter period and would continue to be with school holidays ongoing and Anzac weekend coming up, McKennie said.
The first Easter road victim died at the scene of a single vehicle crash on State Highway 12 in Ruawai in Northland on Good Friday.
In the second incident, one person died in a crash involving a car and cyclist at Haumoana in Hawke's Bay on Saturday morning.
On Easter Monday, a person was killed after a two-car crash in central Taranaki, and a person died in a crash in Mangakino.
Last Easter seven people died on the roads, the highest since 2021 when the toll stood at nine.
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