Deadly weekend on roads: Seven lives lost in 50 hours of carnage

Seven people have lost their lives in a grim 50 hours on New Zealand roads, with police disheartened by the toll and urging motorists to take road safety seriously.

The fatal crashes happened in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Central Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury and Dunedin – most of which closed major roads including several highways.

Director of road policing Superintendent Steve Greally told the Herald there were no excuses when it came to road safety.

“While there are three deaths fewer than the same time last year, this is not a time to be complacent.

“Road safety is relevant anywhere, and anytime you drive. There is no excuse, and we will not tolerate dangerous driving of any kind.

“Wear a seatbelt, put the phone down, and do not drive if you are impaired by drugs or alcohol. Sign-posted speed limits are there for a reason, and we expect every road user to follow them.”

Greally said police were aware of one incident where weather conditions might have been a factor.

First fatal crash on Cambridge offramp

The first person to die was a senior citizen who died at the scene at a Waikato off-ramp crash on Friday morning.

Emergency services were called to Victoria Rd at the State Highway 1 on/off-ramps near Te Oko Horoi Bridge about 9.45am.

Police named the victim as 77-year-old Judith Moreland, who was found dead at the scene.

The road remained closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination.

Kaipara afternoon crash

The second person to die was a motorist involved in a crash in Kaipara, Northland.

The single-vehicle crash took place on Ararua Rd in Kaipara, 70km southwest of Whangārei just before 2.30pm on Saturday., 70km southwest of Whangārei.

Police confirmed the sole occupant died in the crash.

The road was closed while emergency services were at the scene and the death was referred to the coroner.

An hour later, Hawke’s Bay crash claims one

Another person died after a serious single-vehicle crash on State Highway 2 near Ōtāne on Saturday.

The crash was initially reported between College and Drumpeel Rds about 3.25pm.

Police say one person died at the scene and two others were seriously injured.

The road between Ōtāne and Pakipaki was closed for several hours.

Night motorway crashes leave one dead, several hurt

Two serious crashes on Auckland’s Southern Motorway left one person dead and several others injured on Saturday night.

A person died in a single-vehicle crash near East Tamaki off-ramp just after 9pm.

The second, three-vehicle crash, occurred near the Southern to Northwestern Link around 1.40am, with two people seriously injured and another left in a moderate condition.

Three-vehicle crash on Auckland's Southern Motorway, northbound, just before the Upper Queen Street overbridge. Photo / Hayden Woodward

South Island crashes claim two lives

One person died and another was injured following a crash in Pleasant Valley, near Geraldine on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to the Geraldine-Fairlie Highway, at the intersection with Slacks Valley Rd, just after 9pm.

One of the occupants of the single-vehicle crash died at the scene, and the second was taken to hospital after suffering moderate injuries.

Several hours later emergency services were called to a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 1/Caversham Valley Rd in Dunedin at 1.15am.

Police said one person was taken to hospital in a critical condition and died in hospital last night.

Motorbike rider dies in Northland crash

The last crash to claim a life in the 50-hour stretch involved a motorcyclist in a crash on State Highway 1 in Awanui, Northland yesterday.

The two-vehicle crash involved a car and motorbike and was reported to police at midday.

Police said the rider died at the scene.

Anti-social behaviour in Taranaki

Meanwhile, police arrested four people in response to anti-social driving in Taranaki over the weekend.

A driver travelling at almost twice the limit on a highway was tracked and caught by police on farmland.

Bottles were also thrown at police, with one going through the back window of a patrol car.

The four arrests were for assault with a weapon, reckless driving, breach of bail and drug charges.

More than 50 infringement notices were also handed out while three cars and a motorcycle were impounded.

“People deserve to feel safe and everyone on the road is required to follow the same rules, no exceptions,” Inspector Mark Miller said.

“If we see dangerous driving, we will take appropriate action.”