Road Safety

A cycling advocate on Waiheke island says that without cycle lanes, the area's narrow roads, tourists, bikes, pedestrians, wine and speed, are "an accident waiting to happen".

One died and three others were injured on a stretch of road earmarked for speed reduction.

Holiday traffic is causing congestion in the main centres as people head away for the long Labour weekend.

The Automobile Association is welcoming a drop in the nation's road toll - but says it's still far too high relative to other countries and significantly more than a decade ago.

Labour Weekend has begun with a bad start on the roads, with people killed in crashes in Northland and Waikato, and crashes in Hamilton, Wellsford and Drury.