It is also the time of the year when there is a noticeable increase in motorcycle crashes, as riders get back in the saddle after the long winter break.
In Otago and Southland, Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) data showed 276 motorcyclists claimed for motorbike-related injuries last year, costing the taxpayer $8.2million to help them recover.
And so far this year, up until July 20, there had already been 190 claims, costing $4.7m.
Nationwide, ACC accepted 4739 claims in 2024, costing $150m.
It is the highest number of injuries and the highest cost in the past five years. The active claims cost was $109m in 2020.
Ministry of Transport figures show car drivers were at fault in 90% of crashes between cars and motorbikes at urban intersections.
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said a phenomenon called "saccadic masking" made it less likely drivers would see motorcyclists on the road.
He said research showed when a person moved their eyes, they jumped from point A to point B, and did not move smoothly like their brain led them to believe.
It was the same process when a video camera recorded frames — each "jump" our eyes made (called a fixation) was a frame.
"Our brain merges each fixation into what we think is a smooth picture, but the movements between fixations — called a saccade — are extremely blurred and aren’t helpful images for our brain to process, so it doesn’t.
"While turning your head and looking at an intersection, each saccade acts as a blind spot.
"If a motorcyclist happens to fall in one of these saccades, you won’t see them.
"The faster you move your head, the longer the saccade and the higher the risk of you not seeing motorcyclists or any other smaller road-user," he said.
Ministry of Transport data shows there were 292 deaths on New Zealand roads in 2024 — 53 of them were motorcyclists.
And until August 19 this year, there have been 196 fatalities on our roads — 26 of them on motorbikes.
Mr Whitaker said motorcyclists and car drivers were both responsible for reducing motorcycle fatalities and injuries.
"We’ve all got to be more aware of the dangers at intersections," he said.
"When you’re sitting at an intersection, look again for motorcyclists — not just your gap.
"Check your blind spots, too."
Before heading out, he urged motorcyclists to check their bikes were well maintained, ensure their gear was up to scratch, and to complete a Ride Forever coaching programme.
