Police are urging Southern motorists to keep an eye on their speed over Labour Weekend, as there will be a reduced tolerance over the holiday period.
Drivers going any faster than 4kmh above the permanent posted speed limit can expect to be ticketed, and police will be out in numbers enforcing the lower tolerance level.
Southern District's Acting Road Policing Manager Inspector Steve Larking says reducing speed tolerance is key tool in keeping people safe on the roads and the road toll down over public holiday periods.
"Speed is the No 1 factor in road crashes. If we reduce our driving speed then we can have a big impact on the number of crashes, fatalities and people injured on our roads," he said.
While speed is a key focus for police, they will also be keeping a close eye on general driving behaviour over the weekend.
"We want each and every person who travels on Southland and Otago roads this weekend to do what good drivers do to get to their destinations safely - keep their speed down, drive to the conditions, watch your following distance behind the car in front, and don't mix alcohol with driving," Insp Larking said.
"Traditionally in Southern we see heavy traffic flows out of Dunedin and Invercargill to popular holiday spots in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. Police will be highly visible over the weekend, particularly during peak travel times."
He also encourages drivers to be patient and courteous on the roads and plan ahead.
"There will be higher levels of traffic so I urge you to plan your journey well, take your time and allow for adequate rest stops if you are travelling longer distances."
Last year at Labour Weekend two people were killed on Southern District roads and another five were seriously injured. Both fatal crashes involved speed and a vehicle crossing the centreline.
In the first nine months of this year, 16 people have died on Southern's roads, compared with 23 for the corresponding period last year.
For the same period of 2011, 144 people have suffered serious injuries as a result of road crashes in Southern, compared with 195 in 2010.
"While the figures are improving, every death or injury is one too many. A person involved in a serious crash often suffers a devastating and life changing impact on family and friends," Inspector Larking says.
The official Labour Weekend Holiday period starts at 4pm on Friday and finishes at 6am on Tuesday, October 25.
