2 Jun 2016

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The NZ Transport Agency is urging people heading away for the long weekend to plan ahead and avoid delays by checking out their new interactive maps and real time travel information.

Traffic volumes are typically significantly heavier at the beginning and the end of long weekends and holiday periods, so the Transport Agency’s travel information team has crunched the numbers from previous holiday periods to show where and when traffic is likely to be heaviest. They have used that information to produce interactive Hotspot maps for Queen's Birthday Weekend.

Transport Agency Canterbury/ West Coast Journey Manager Lee Wright says thousands of people are expected to hit the roads around the South Island over the long weekend.

"Lots of people are expected to head out of Christchurch for a three-day break and what is for many the last long weekend until Labour Weekend in October. Motorists should be prepared for possible traffic queues and delays on State Highway 1, both north and south of Christchurch.

“Planning in advance can help ease stress inside the car, making for a safer and more enjoyable journey for everyone, passengers and drivers. Don’t underestimate the importance of taking regular breaks from driving to avoid fatigue or sharing the driving if you can.

'Weather will also play a big role in determining the busiest peaks for people returning home again, so using real time travel information is the best way to get up to date and accurate information via email notifications. Before you leave, check our Traffic and Travel pages, which has links to maps, traffic cameras around the country, delays and detours.''